Gertrude "Perk" Smith Perkins Givens
Gertrude “Perk” Smith Perkins Givens, 90, of Pearisburg, VA. went to be with the Lord on Monday May 26, 2025. Perk was born on August 12, 1934, in Petersburg, VA to the late Archer Witherspoon Perkins, Sr. and Alice Elizabeth Smith Perkins. Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, John Harvey Givens, Jr.; two sons, John Harvey Givens, III and James Archer Givens; two brothers, A.W. “Spoony” Perkins, Jr., and C. Fletcher Perkins, Sr.; and one niece, Amy Perkins Duncan.Perk was raised on the family farm in Dinwiddie County where her unrivaled work ethic was developed at an early age. Her renowned cooking skills were also developed there, feeding the many farmhands and family members throughout the years.She graduated from Dinwiddie County High School in 1952. While in high school, Perk excelled at softball and basketball, lettering in both sports. As a person who cared so much for others she chose the perfect career, Nursing.A graduate of the Petersburg General Hospital School of Nursing, Perk earned her BSN and became a registered nurse. It was at this time, in the emergency room at Petersburg General, that she met her lifelong love, John Harvey Givens, Jr. as he was completing his apprenticeship at J.T. Morriss & Sons, also in Petersburg. Their love brought them to Pearisburg where they raised their family.Perk was a lifelong and active member of First United Methodist Church, Pearisburg, where she served faithfully for over 60 years. She spent her early years in Pearisburg working at Giles Memorial Hospital and then gave over 16 years as a nurse at Celanese. Perk never met a stranger, she was active in her community, including her work with the Relay for Life and making her famous sourdough bread to share with everyone. To know Perk was to love her and her life was a blessing to countless people throughout Giles County and beyond.She is survived by one son, Robert Alan Givens (Dianna) of Pearisburg; a grandson, James Michael DeHart (Stephanie) of CO; a great granddaughter, Willow Lynn DeHart; a brother, Robert Faison Perkins, of Richmond; and a host of loving and caring nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews and great-great nieces and nephews, all of whom will miss her very dearly and deeply.Funeral services will be conducted on Sunday June 1, 2025, at 2:00pm at the First United Methodist Church in Pearisburg with the Rev. Clay Holt, the Rev. Keith Owen, and Charles Henderson officiating. The family will receive friends at the church on Saturday May 31, 2025, from 6 – 8 pm. A private family burial will be held on Monday.Memorial donations may be made to Pearisburg First United Methodist Church.The family is being served by Givens Funeral Home in Pearisburg, (540) 921-1650; online at givensfuneralhome.com.
