Obituaries

Tommye Sullivan Givens

Photo of Tommye Sullivan Givens
Tommye Sullivan Givens, 93, passed away Thursday, July 16, 2015 at her home in Weiner, Ark. She was born in Trumann, Ark. on April 4, 1922 to the late C.T. and Ione Sullivan. She was one of five girls born to Mr. and Mrs. Sullivan; Marguerite Sullivan Holmes of Harrisburg, Bernice Wimpy of Harrisburg and Dorothy Sullivan Baker of Harrisburg, all deceased, and Betty Sullivan Murphy of Hot Springs. She is survived by her husband of 68 years, Charles E. Givens of the home, by one daughter, Vicki Jo Givens Scivicque and son-in-law, Rev. Chip Scivicque of Auburn, Ala., four grandchildren, Daniel Scivicque and Anna of Opelika, Ala., Joseph Scivicque and Lily of Atlanta, Ga., Amy Scivicque Edwards and Stephen of Atlanta, Ga., Amber Scivicque of Auburn, Ala., five great-grandchildren, Asher Edwards, Mattie Edwards, Augustine Scivicque and Evangeline Scivicque all of Atlanta, Ga., and Michael Scivicque of Opelika, Ala. Tommye's family moved to Harrisburg, Ark. when she was a child and she lived there until she left to attend MSCW in Mississippi and Chillicothe Business College in Missouri. She worked in Washington D.C. for a short period then returned to Harrisburg, where she served as Deputy Collector and Deputy Treasurer of Poinsett County. In 1967 she was elected Poinsett County Assessor, becoming the first woman elected to public office in Poinsett County. She served as County Assessor for 12 years, retiring in 1980. She was also elected president of the Arkansas Assessors Association and served in that position for several years. In 1983 she was appointed as Secretary of the State Democratic Party by then Governor Bill Clinton. She was originally a member of Harrisburg United Methodist Church and after moving to Weiner, she was an active member of Weiner United Methodist Church. She loved her church and faithfully served there for many years including several years as church secretary. Tommye was especially close to her four sisters and their families. Her daughter and grandchildren were the light of her life. She made many trips to visit them in other states and five trips to Thailand to visit her daughter and family while they lived there. She loved her role as wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.

Published July 19, 2015

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