Donald Arzie Givens

Don was born on March 12, 1931 to William Arzie and Alpha Mae Givens in Town Creek, Alabama. After Don graduated from Georgia Institute of Technology in 1954 as an electrical engineer, he went on to The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary where he earned a Bachelor of Divinity in 1960.

After seminary he was called as pastor to Jefferson Park Baptist Church in Charlottesville, Virginia where he served as Senior Pastor for 9 years. In 1969 Don was called as Senior Pastor to St. Elmo Avenue Baptist Church in Chattanooga, Tennessee where he served for 26 years until his retirement.

In 1996, Don formally retired from St. Elmo Avenue Baptist Church and spent the next 13 years serving as interim pastor at First Baptist Church Rossville, Alpine Baptist Church, East Brainerd Baptist Church, and Mountain Creek Baptist Church. With his electrical engineering background, Don’s churches were always equipped with sophisticated sound systems and electronics. Don also enjoyed wood-working and built many pieces of furniture for his family.

In 1957, Don met and married the love of his life Betty Ruth Atkinson in Augusta, Georgia, while fulfilling his ROTC obligation as a 1st Lieutenant in the United Stares Army, Signal Corps.

Don was predeceased by his parents. Don, an only child, is survived by his wife Betty, by his children Steve (Cathy) Givens and Donna (Stan Sullivan) Parker, by his grandchildren, Christopher (Irene) Healey, Matthew (Emily) Healey, Eric (Mattie) Givens, Allison (Eli Franklin) Healey, Andrew (Ashley) Givens, Carole Lea (Neal) Atkinson, and by 12 great grandchildren with 2 more on the way.

Services will be held at First Baptist Church, Chattanooga, Tennessee on November 4th with visitation at 11:00 am and the service at 12:00 p.m. Burial will follow at Chattanooga National Cemetery with military honors.

Arrangements are by the East Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, 404 South Moore Road, East Ridge, TN.

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