Beth Givens

Lou Beth Reeves Givens, age 84, devoted wife to Roger and cherished mom to Randy, Julie, and Stacie, entered Heaven on February 21, 2023. 

With rock-solid faith in Christ, Beth loved life to the fullest with mischievous humor and no-nonsense wisdom, none of which diminished as she courageously fought an eight-year battle with Parkinson’s Disease and macular degeneration. Beth radiated joy and authenticity. She brought fun into every room.  Her grandchildren were the light of her life.  She was known as the beautiful lady with the beautiful smile.  Her compassion for others, generosity, and desire for all to know Christ epitomize her character. Above all, she trusted her Heavenly Father to fulfill every promise made in His Word and frequently reminded God of those promises in her prayers.       

Born in Sayre, Oklahoma, Beth moved east in 1957 to serve in youth ministry and to attend college in Anderson, South Carolina. Beth later followed lifelong friends to Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama, where she met the love of her life, Roger.  After a whirlwind romance and marriage on February 9, 1963, she and Roger settled in Maryville.   As she cared for home and family, she enabled Roger’s success as a pharmacist and photographer. Beth served many church roles throughout her life with perhaps her greatest service being her encouraging friendship to so many.   

Beth graduated from Samford University with a B.A. degree in religious education and was a much-loved member of Mt. Lebanon Baptist Church.   

She was preceded in death by her parents, Tillman and Nell Reeves; by her brothers Gene and Glenn; by her parents-in-law, S.L. and Christine Givens; by brothers-in-law Henry and Carl; by sisters-in-law, Jane and Catherine.  Left to cherish her memory are her loving husband of sixty years, Roger; her son Randy (Shelly) and daughters Julie St. Clair (Andrew) and Stacie Clark (Jeff); and grandchildren Marabeth Hardwick (Jared), Chandler Clark (fiancé Stephanie Galyon), Paxton and Nash St. Clair, and Caroline and Graham Givens.  She is additionally survived by brother-in-law Dale (Charlene), by sisters-in-law Vivian Givens and Vivian Reeves; by much-loved nieces and nephews; and by generations of friends.  The family expresses deepest gratitude to her caretakers: Peggy, Marie, Darline, Jane, Linda, Clara, and Lydia and to Ferrell Martin and Blount Memorial Hospice for loving care in the final days of her illness.  

Romans 4:20-21: “She did not waver at the promise of God but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God and being fully convinced that what He had promised, He was also able to perform.” 

To honor Beth’s influence and life, donations may be made to Mt. Lebanon Baptist Church Field of Dreams or to Yoke Youth Ministries of Blount County. 

Family will receive friends from 1:00 until 3:00 PM Sunday, February 26, 2023 at Mt. Lebanon Baptist Church. The Funeral Service will be at 3:00 PM with Rev. Raymond Burnett officiating. Interment to follow at Mt. Lebanon Baptist Church Cemetery. Smith Funeral & Cremation Service, Maryville, 865-983-1000, www.SmithFuneralandCremation.com