YOUR WORK WILL CONTINUE TO TOUCH LIVES - Kenny Givens Passes Away

Rickey Stokes

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Posted by: RStokes
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13347901729
Date: Jan 22 2021 1:44 PM

HODGESVILLE:    Last night, about 11:30 PM, a huge champion for Christ, left his earthly body and met his Heavenly Father, face to face.

"To be absent from the body, is to be present with the Lord!

Kenny Givens passed away last evening at Southeast Health. Kenny Givens was known to many people and a friend to many. He quietly made a lot of accomplishments in his life, served his community, and giving a lot of time to improve the community.

Hodgesville is unincorporated. But many who knew Kenny Givens has referred to him as the Mayor of Hodgesville.

Kenny Givens was married to Becky. They have four children. His dad owned and operated Jeff Givens Grocery on Hodgesville Road at the big curve. Kenny worked, then owned and operated that store for many years. When he closed it Kenny went into the insurance business, working with Diversified Insurance. 

Kenny Givens saw the need for fire service in the Hodgesville area. He was the first Fire Chief of Hodgesville Volunteer Fire Department. It was Kenny, along with some other very community minded men and women, who were the pioneers of volunteer fire service in Houston County. They donated their time, their energies and labor to the service of others through fire service.

The men and women, like Kenny Givens, worked to secure funding for the fire service in Houston County. Together, they passed the tobacco tax to fund the volunteer fire.

Under the leadership of Kenny Givens and others, the Houston County Volunteer Fire Chief Association was formed. Kenny served many years as President of that association. During those years the building on Highway 52 East at Houston County Road and Bridge was constructed for the fire association. Kenny gave 100% plus some.

As a fund raiser for Hodgesville Volunteer Fire Department, Kenny Givens, along with others, started the annual turkey shoot. A large Thanksgiving annual event that draws a lot of people each year.

That was Kenny Givens. He gave 100% to whatever he did. And he saw the need for rural water. Kenny Givens, again together with others, started and was long time chairman of the Houston County Water Authority. Water lines were installed by Gerald Morgan and others in the rural area to provide water for homes, but also to provide water for fire fighting. Again, Kenny Givens gave 100%.

I asked him one day why he did not run for Houston County Commissioner. In a way only Kenny could describe ( of which is not exact ), he said when you make one mistake in life, that is what you are known for.

THEN, I DO NOT KNOW "WHAT" GRABBED KENNY, BUT I KNOW "WHO" GRABBED KENNY... 

Kenny Givens retired as Hodgesville Volunteer Fire Chief. Hung up all of his fire time, and became more than 100% committed to Jesus Christ. He became passionate about reading and studying the Bible.

While Church does not get you to heaven, Kenny Givens became dedicated to church. Kenny Givens being the leader he was, a Sunday School class was born where he was the teacher.

The class grew rapid where many people wanting to be a part of the class taught be Kenny Givens.

Then Becky called Cindy Battles one night. Kenny was experiencing problems. When Cindy checked Kenny, they took off to Flowers Hospital. But not in time for the tPA shot.

Kenny suffered a stroke. The stroke left him paralyzed and where he could only shake his head and say, "yea" "yea". He was confined to a wheelchair.

Becky Givens has always, as long as I have known, waited on Kenny. She took care of him before the stroke and after. Most Sundays and Wednesdays following the stroke, Kenny was wheeled in church. Still their, still praising GOD, and still giving 100% of what he could.

Before the stroke Kenny Givens touched many lives. After the stroke Kenny Givens continued to touch many lives, even though all he could speak was "yea" - "yea".

PRIORITIES - QUALITY - DEDICATION 

Kenny Givens made it a priority to give of himself. That was evident through his years in the fire and water system in Houston County. Many volunteer fireman got their beginning with Kenny. He was dedicated to the service of others in emergencies.

Then when Jesus Christ Grabbed Kenny Givens, his priority, the quality of his service and ministry, and his dedication to Jesus Christ was above all. Kenny Givens began a dedicated Walk With God.

WILL YOUR WORK BE FINISHED ...

Thanks to Kenny Givens for the service. Thanks to Becky Givens, you took care of Kenny Givens and was more then dedicated to carrying for him. Thanks to his family for allowing Kenny to serve others.

YOUR WORK WILL CONTINUE TO TOUCH LIVES...

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