Inez Givens
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Inez Givens departed this life on Saturday, April 12, 2025. Inez was born July 10, 1933, in Kansas City, Missouri. She survived by her husband, Johnnie; daughters, Camille and Rhonda; son-in-law, Rick; granddaughter, Arielle; and cherished nieces, nephews, friends and other loved ones who will forever hold her memory close.
Inez graduated from Lincoln High School before traveling to the West Coast for a semester of college in California. She returned home to care for her grandmother, which is where she reconnected with her childhood friend, Johnnie Givens. The two married on Aug. 16, 1954, and began their lives together. They had two daughters, Rhonda and Camille, to round out the Givens family unit.
As a military family, the Givens traveled overseas where Inez held a position as a secretary at one of the entertainment clubs on the base – it was rare to see a working woman during that era. During her husband’s time in the service, she traveled with a gospel choir, sharing her love of music with audiences in a number of European cities.
Inez continued her federal civil service when the family returned to the United States, at Fort Riley and Fort Leavenworth, until she retired in 1993. In her retirement, Inez found joy in life’s simple pleasures, such as playing pinochle, baking cookies and cream cheese brownies, reading, visiting the casino and of course, watching her stories. A consummate host, she also looked forward to planning family dinners and holiday parties, particularly the annual Thanksgiving dinner with the Arterbery, the Dunham and the Nickings families.
She was never shy to strike a conversation with a stranger, sharing laughter and stories with almost everyone she met. While she was a mother to two, she nurtured many more – “adopting” people she cared about and welcoming them into the family.
Although she is no longer with us physically, Inez’s legacy of kindness and warmth lives on in the hearts and memories of everyone who had the pleasure of knowing her. Inez’s final resting place will be at Fort Leavenworth National Cemetery, where she will be honored forever.
Ah, much love to dear Inez as she journeys on a new plane of existence. I think of her every day and will continue to do so for the rest of my life. She has been an important part of my life and I stand on her giving shoulders.