Charles E. Givens

Charles E. Givens, 92, passed away Friday, April 28, 2017 at his home in Weiner. He is survived by one daughter, Vicki Jo Scivicque, and son-in-law, Chip of Auburn, Alabama; four grandchildren, Daniel Scivicque and Anna of Opelika, Alabama, Joseph Scivicque and Lily of Atlanta, Georgia, Amy Scivicque Edwards and Stephen of Atlanta, and Amber Scivicque of Florence, Alabama; seven great grandchildren. Charles is preceded in death by his father, Davis A. Givens; his mother, Zella Cart Givens Wright; and his wife, Tommye Sullivan Givens. Charles was born July 7, 1924 in Jonesboro. He grew up in Weiner and graduated from Weiner High School where he was president of his senior class. He attended UALR in Little Rock until he joined the Air Force in 1943. He served in the Eighth Air Force during World War II in the European Theatre. After the war he returned to Weiner to join his family's water well and irrigation business, Cart Well Company, Inc. He became president of Cart Well Company in 1972. Charles married Tommye Sullivan on October 19, 1946 and they enjoyed 69 years of marriage together before she passed away. They enjoyed being involved in local and state politics and traveling together. He was an active member of the Weiner Methodist Church, serving many years as a board member. He served 18 years on the District Committee on Ministry of the Jonesboro and Forrest City Districts. He was a Certified Methodist Lay Speaker and had the opportunity to speak to churches throughout Northeast and Northwest Arkansas. Charles was active in state water legislation, serving 20 years on the Arkansas Soil and Water Conservation Commission. He was appointed to this commission by three different Arkansas governors and served as Chairman of the Commission for several terms. He was also appointed to the Committee on Water Well Construction for the State of Arkansas in 1979. Charles served on the board of the Bank of Weiner and was a member of the Weiner Lions Club. He was honored twice with the Arkansas Rice Festival's "Man of the Year Award". His main hobbies were developing the family rice and soybean farm and traveling with Tommye. Visitation will be Friday, May 5 from 6-8 p.m. at Gregg-Langford-Bookout Funeral Home, 300 W. Matthews St., Jonesboro, Arkansas. The funeral service will be at the Weiner Methodist Church on Saturday, May 6, at 2 p.m. with the Rev. Chip Scivicque. Graveside services will follow in Oak Grove Cemetery in Weiner with the Rev. Tommy Toombs. Those wishing to make memorials are asked to consider the Weiner Volunteer Fire Department, 123 W. Second St., Weiner, Ark. 72479; Oak Grove Cemetery, 123 W. Second St., Weiner, Ark. 72479 or your favorite Christian organization. Online: www.gregglangfordbookoutfh.com.