Vinnie Evelyn Givens Obituary (1929 - 2017)

Vinnie Evelyn Givens, 88, a long time Baker City resident and currently of Donnelly, Idaho, passed away on July 18, 2017 at St. Lukes Regional Medical Center in Boise, Idaho. A viewing will be held on Friday, July 28, 2017 from 2:00 PM - 6:00 PM PST at Gray's West & Co. Pioneer Chapel. A graveside service will be held on Saturday, July 29, 2017 beginning at 1:00 PM at Mt. Hope Cemetery with Pastor Garth Johnson of the Agape Christian Church officiating. Arrangements have been entrusted to Gray's West & Co. Pioneer Chapel. William Alfred and Henrietta Julia (Kieslich) Goff lovingly welcomed Vinnie Evelyn Goff into the world on January 1, 1929 in Baker, Oregon. Vinnie attended Baker High Schools and then married Orval Jackson Givens on August 19, 1947 in Baker City, Oregon. Orval and Vinnie were married for 38 years and 11 months before his passing in 1986. During their marriage they had six wonderful children; Orval, Evelyn, Barbara, Bruce, Frances, and Clara. Vinnie was first and foremost a loving and caring wife and mother. She played the violin in her youth and instilled in her children a love of music. She met her husband playing in a band at a local dance in Baker City. She could hunt and fish with the best of them. Homemade bread hot and fresh from the oven was often an after school treat for her children. Her first career was a mom. She did not enter the workforce until her youngest child was in school, working for the city of Baker in the payroll office. A skilled seamstress, she created beautiful quilts for each of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her latest pastime was Tea and Crumpets each afternoon. She will be missed by all who were blessed with knowing her. She is survived by her son Orval Dale Gives and wife Suzanne of Huntsville, Alabama, her daughter Evelyn Ann Jackson and husband Terrance of Boise, Idaho, her daughter Barbara Joyce Sivey and husband Gail of Donnelly, Idaho, her son Bruce Wayne Givens of Baker City, Oregon, her daughter Frances Elaine Givens of Clarkston, Washington and her daughter Clara Jean Knox and husband Robert of Baker City, Oregon. Vinnie is also survived by 14 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren. Vinnie is preceded in death by her parents; two brothers Alfred Westly Goff and Joe Leo Goff; three sisters Irene May Watson, Hazel Belle Masters, and Virginia Ream Goff; and two granddaughters Kay Lynn Jackson and Jennifer Lea Scott. Memorial contributions may be made in Vinnie's honor to the Billy Ruth Bootsma Foundation through Gray's West & Co., 1500 Dewey Ave., Baker City, OR 97814.