Curtis Delp Givens, Sr., 101, passed away Saturday, May 3, 2025, at the home of his son and family. He was born August 30, 1923 in Norton, Virginia, to the late Emmett Edmondson Givens and Nannie Lou Delp Givens.
In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his wife Lois Ann Gray Givens, his only brother Richard McGuire Givens, and sister-in-law Jean Patterson Givens. Survivors include two sons, Curtis Delp Givens, Jr. (Donna) and Grayson Cale Givens (Yvonne); five grandchildren, Austen Delp Givens (Rachel), Chandler Randolph Givens (Sarma), Erin Michele Givens, Miranda Givens Gunn (Parker), and Clark Grayson Givens; three great granddaughters, Serafina, Augusta, and Lina; a niece Kathleen Patterson (Jim), and a nephew Richard M. Givens, Jr. (Barbara).
After graduating from Martinsville High School, he attended Roanoke College for two years where he was in Kappa Alpha House. He completed college at Virginia Polytechnic Institute (now Virginia Tech GO HOKIES!) and graduated with a degree in Aeronautical Engineering. Following graduation, he was called for service in WWII, he completed training at Naval Station Great Lakes just prior to V-J Day, and served stateside for two years. While in Blacksburg, he met Lois Ann Gray, his future devoted wife of 71 years, and they eventually returned to Martinsville for his 35-year career as product development engineer with American of Martinsville Furniture Company. His specialty was the design, engineering, and manufacturing of hotel/motel furniture.
Both Curtis and Lois Ann sang in the Chancel Choir at First United Methodist Church in to their 90’s, and he was involved in multiple church committees throughout his life. He and Lois Ann loved playing cards with their friends at monthly bridge club dinners. Curtis was one of the founding members of The Martinsville Singing Men, an all-male chorus under the direction of Katherine (Tuggle) Neal that performed locally, recorded two albums, and toured regionally. One of his favorite vacation spots was Sunset Beach, North Carolina, where many memories (and some nightmares) were made. His vices were few except the perpetual presence of a cigar.
The family thanks his Internal Medicine physician Dr. William Benton Lewis for his diligence over several decades and appreciates the attention of Mallory Knight, RN, during hospice care. A special note of gratitude to Mrs. Vickie Martin who was his caregiver the last 6-plus years and helped provide moral support, a safe environment, and emotional security in his home surroundings up to his final days.
The family will receive visitors starting at 1:00 pm on Saturday, May 31, 2025, at First United Methodist Church in Martinsville. A funeral and celebration of life will be held at 2:00 pm, and will be officiated by Rev. Faith Weedling and Rev. Ron Mateer. A reception will be held in the Fellowship Hall immediately following the service. The family plans a private burial at Oakwood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please send Memorial gifts to First United Methodist Church, 146 East Main Street, Martinsville, VA 24112.
