Laverne Horton Givens, born in Steele, Missouri, on February 26, 1921, to parents LL and Annie Johnson Horton, passed away on September 1, 2020, at the age of 99.

Always an inspiration to her friends and family, she was a woman of unflinching faith, love and strength.  She had a quick wit, a sharp sense of humor and she loved to laugh.  Above all she loved Jesus and her family with all she had.

A 1939 graduate of East Prairie High School, she and Arthur Leroy Givens were married August 31, 1941 and he preceded her in death on April 11, 1989.  Also preceding her in death were her daughter, Teresa Ann Givens Lingle and her brother, Alton Horton.

She is survived by a daughter, Glenda Givens Climer of Memphis, TN; her son in law, Charles Lingle of Matthews; her sister in law, Verla Horton of Sikeston; six grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren and several great great grandchildren,

Following her parent's example, Laverne was a dedicated member of the First Church of God in East Prairie, Missouri, for all but just a few years of her life.  She served in various roles there, including youth leader, ladie's ministries, and Sunday School teacher for the young and the "older."

She had several jobs throughout her life.  She spent 24 years working as the secretary at Doyle Elementary school in East Prairie, where she loved making the teachers and staff laugh and keeping the kids in line.  Later in life she worked for many years at the Mitchell Memorial Library in East Prairie.  For all the jobs she held, the one she excelled at most was mother and grandmother.  Known as Mawma to her grandchildren, she was always there to teach them about Jesus, give them a stern lesson, or supply lots and lots of laughter and love.

Like many others, her life brought heartache and sorrows.  She always pushed through and was stronger for them because of her faith in God and her devotion to her family.  She spent 99 years on Earth.  Teaching, Leading, Laughing and Loving.  She was one of a kind and she will be missed.

The family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. until the funeral hour at 11:30 a.m., Saturday, September 5, 2020, at the First Church of God in East Prairie.  Her niece and nephew in law, Tonya Horton Shupe and Ralph Shupe, will officiate.

Interment will follow in the Dogwood Cemetery under the direction of the McMikle Funeral Home of Charleston.

Online condolences may be shared at www.mcmiklefuneralhome.com

Pallbearers will be: Allen Bryan, Parker Bryan, Mac Bryan, Dylan Lingle, Daniel Dooley and Colten Triplett.