Thomas Givens

THOMAS PRESTON GIVENS

August 2, 1937 – August 19, 2025

Thomas “Tommy” Preston Givens, a retired Administrative Law Judge, passed away on August 19, 2025, at the age of 88.

A visitation honoring Tommy will be held Thursday, August 21, 2025, 12-1pm at Ray Funeral Home with a Celebration of Life Service following at 1pm at Ray Funeral Home. Graveside service will proceed in the Lehrton Cemetery in Ruleville, MS .

Born in Sunflower County on August 2, 1937, to Mary Inmon Givens and Thomas Boyd Givens, Tommy grew up in Linn in the Mississippi Delta and always maintained a strong affinity for the Delta. He graduated from Delta State in 1959 and the Jackson School of Law in 1964. He was with the Naval Air Reserve for 12 years achieving the rank of Aviation Ordnanceman Petty Officer Third Class.

Tommy began his practice of law in Clarksdale at Brewer, Brewer, & Luckett. In 1969, he served as the Secretary Treasurer for the Coahoma County Bar Association. He moved to Jackson in 1969 and began his work as a Judge for the Mississippi Workmen’s Compensation Commission. In 1976, he began the final stage of his career as an Administrative Law Judge for the Social Security Administration, Office of Hearings and Appeals. He continued in this position until he retired on December 31, 2005.

Tommy enjoyed his life to the fullest and never met a stranger. Tommy’s friends were near and far including politicians at our Capitol in Washington D.C., costume designers on the backlots of Hollywood, and his closest confidants way down South, who held a special place in his heart, like the good folks at the Halfway Store between Cleveland and Ruleville. No mention of his friends up North, as he liked to keep any trip North of Memphis to an absolute minimum. He was a life-long Ole Miss football fan. He was a SCUBA diver and passed this hobby on to three of his sons. Tommy was an avid reader, traveler, and runner participating in several St. Jude 5K races over the years. He also enjoyed writing and published a book called Givens Road.

Tommy is survived by his wife of nearly 36 years Debbie Givens. He is also survived by his sons: Mike Givens, Preston Givens (Arpana), Lindsey Givens (Mae), and Johnny Givens; and seven beloved grandchildren. Tommy is also survived by his brother Galen Givens and nephew Chad Givens.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to St. Jude.