Shirley W. Givens, woman of faith
Shirley W. Givens, 84, of Rehoboth Beach, beloved wife of Robert J. Givens, passed away peacefully Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, at Country Rest Home in Greenwood. Shirley was born at home Aug. 2, 1941, the youngest child of the late Ernest and Grace Fleetwood Wilson of Coolspring, where she grew up on a farm along with her two older brothers, Barkley and Elmer.
On Christmas Eve 1967, Shirley went on a first date with a handsome Robert “Bob” Givens of Georgetown, and they immediately became inseparable. They were married Jan. 24, 1987. Shirley worked in the hospitality industry, managing multiple motels in the Rehoboth Beach area. Her true joy was working side by side with Bob as they hosted visitors who became lifelong friends at Givens Apartments and Efficiencies.
Devoted to her faith, Bob and Shirley enjoyed Sundays as members of Calvary Baptist Church in Georgetown. For 22 years, they were part of the snowbirds club, traveling to Treasure Island, Fla., in the winter, enjoying friends from around the country, while also providing generous hospitality and warmth to the friends and family from Delaware who visited them there.
In addition to being a devoted, loving, and caring wife to her husband Bob, Shirley was extraordinarily generous with her time and dedication to those who needed her. She, along with Bob, would be the first to check in on friends and neighbors who might need a meal, a visit, or other support as they experienced health challenges. Shirley was wonderful in supporting her brothers and their wives when they needed her. She embraced her sisters-in-law, supporting and caring for them as she would if they were her own sisters. Shirley also became a true mother figure to her niece, Lisa Wilson Dorey, after her mother passed away.
In addition to her parents, Shirley was preceded in death by her two brothers, Barkley and Elmer. In addition to her loving husband, Robert Givens, Shirley is survived by 16 nieces and nephews, located throughout the country.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Wednesday, Oct. 29, at Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Dodd-Carey Chapel, 307 N. Bedford St., Georgetown, with visitation beginning at 10 a.m. Entombment will be held privately.
To honor Shirley’s memory, the family asks that donations be made to Calvary Baptist Church, 22860 DuPont Blvd., Georgetown, DE 19947, calvarygeorgetown.com/give.
Visit Shirley’s Life Memorial webpage at parsellfuneralhomes.com.
