On Friday, August 1, 2025, our beloved mother Myrtle Lou Brown Givens, 85, of Beaumont, Texas, passed away.
Born in Bogalusa, Louisiana, on July 8, 1940, she was the daughter of Thomas Holliman “T.H.” Brown III and Mavine Morgan Brown. When she attended Bogalusa High School, she was a member of the 4H club and represented her class on the Homecoming Court. Her senior year, she was part of the Paper Doll Queen Ball and won the title of Miss Dixie, which allowed her to travel to Washington, DC, to attend the Mardi Gras Ball and represent the Louisiana Queens. She attended Southern Mississippi before returning home to work at Crown Zellerbach. She was a member of the Jaycee Jane’s, where she held office as President.
She met the love of her life one evening at a dance in Bogalusa when Jimmy Givens was home from LSU for the summer. From that time forward, she would ride the bus to Baton Rouge to watch him play football in Death Valley. Eighteen months later, they married and shared 64 and a half years together. One of her most beloved activities was dancing with Jimmy at weddings, in the kitchen, or just about anywhere music was played and a ballroom could be fitted together. Their love could be seen when they united on the dance floor—whether chaperoning their own children’s dances or celebrating special occasions. They moved to Greensburg, Indiana, for a couple of years before transferring to Orange, Texas, where they lived for 44 years. They looked forward to their monthly bridge club in Orange, but most of all they were deeply involved in their home church, North Orange Baptist.
Lou was a proud realtor in Orange County for nearly 30 years. She was a past president of the Orange County Board of Realtors, past member of the Lamar University Real Estate Advisory Committee, and past Realtor of the Year in the Orange County area. Ultimately, she helped found First Realty Associates in Orange, Texas, serving as the company’s managing co-owner. A cancer survivor herself, she volunteered to drive other cancer patients to appointments in her later years. In retirement, she also volunteered at Baptist Hospital of Orange and the Lutcher Theater in Orange.
A cherished matriarch, Lou was known not only for her vibrant personality but also for the immense love she held for her family. Affectionately known as “GiGi” to her grandchildren, Lou embraced her role as a mother and grandmother with warmth and devotion. She always prioritized her family above anything and everything else. Lou’s fiery spirit was matched by her candidness. She never shied away from expressing her thoughts and opinions, which endeared her to many. Her zest for life was infectious, and those around her found inspiration in her passionate demeanor. Beyond her devotion to her family, Lou loved to read, cheer on the LSU Tigers, and explore the world. Her adventurous spirit took her to many places, leaving a trail of stories and memories that will forever be cherished by those who knew her best. Lou cultivated lasting friendships, which set the stage for a life filled with laughter, and of course, more dancing.
She is survived by her loving husband of 64 ½ years, Jimmy Givens; her children, Jay Givens and wife, Lucy, Jill Langston and husband, Todd, and Joy Assunto and husband, Trey; her grandchildren, Christian, Isaac, Seth, Grace, Levi, and Lizzie; her sister, Cheryl Brown Houston; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. She is preceded in death by her parents, T.H. and Mavine Brown; and her brother, Tommy Brown.
Lou leaves behind a legacy of love, joy, and an unyielding spirit. She will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her.
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” – 2Timothy 4:7, NIV
Visitation will be from 3:00 P.M. to 4:00 P.M., Saturday, August 9, 2025, at North Orange Baptist Church—immediately preceding the Memorial Service at 4:00 P.M. Officiating the services, will be her son, Jay Givens.
In memory of Myrtle Lou Givens, contributions may be made to MD Anderson Cancer Center, P.O. Box 4486, Houston, TX 77210-4486 or http://www.MDAnderson.org/Gifts. The family requests you support MD Anderson in lieu of flowers.
Cremation will be held under the direction of Claybar Funeral Home in Orange, Texas.
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