Ralph A. ‘Toby’ Givens Sr., active in community

Ralph A. “Toby” Givens Sr., 83, of Georgetown passed away Friday, Sept. 3, 2021, at Preston Memorial Hospital in Kingwood, W.Va.

He was born Feb. 6, 1938, in Georgetown, the son of the late Raymond Thomas Givens and Ethel (Conoway) Givens. Toby married Carol Mae (Shedaker) Givens Sept. 13, 1959.

Toby worked at the DuPont Co. in Seaford as a supervisor.  He retired in 1985 and started full time at the business he and his wife Carol opened in 1981, Givens’ Flowers and Gifts.

Toby was a past president of many local organizations.  He was the Delaware state president of the Jaycees, president of the Georgetown Pop Warner, president of the Historic Georgetown Association, president of the Georgetown Business Association and president of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce.   He was a member of The Redmen, Kiwanis, American Legion and DE JCI Senate.

Toby’s greatest passions in life were his family and his community.  He also loved spending time at his “cabin” in West Virginia, enjoying time with his neighbors and loving community, which is known as North Fork Retreat.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Merrill Givens; and two sisters, Marie Johnson and Thelma McClure.

In addition to his wife, Carol, Toby is survived by three sons and their wives, Andy and Holly Givens of Georgetown, Tommy Givens and Joanne Chiappetta of Lewes, and Jimmy and Kim Givens of Georgetown; six grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren with one expected in December.  

At the request of Mr. Givens, his body was cremated. The family is planning a memorial service in the spring of 2022.