Obituary for Wayne Giddens
Wayne Giddens was born on December 26, 1919 in Martha, Oklahoma to Drew and Eula Florence(Williams) Giddens. Growing up he went to schools in the areas around where his parents farmed. This included Blair, Midway, Cityview, and Reed Schools. As many others did in the 1920s and 1930s he left school to find work. One place he found work was with the WPA building bridges.
Besides finding work he also found the love of his life and on February 5, 1938 he married Janie Mae Mitchell in Mangum. A year later they had their first child, Mary Lee, on January 10th, 1939. After she was born he moved his family just east of Reed a few miles and worked for Doc and McKinley Pierson for several years on a farm. On October 29, 1943 they had their second daughter, Ruth Elaine. He continued working there for several more years and then bought his first farm. He then enlisted in the Army to serve his country and was honorably discharged on December 10, 1945. In the late 40s he began driving a truck for Honorbuilt Feeds. On August 25th, 1951 Wayne and Janie had their first son, Kenneth Wayne, and two years later had their fourth child, Bobby Mack, on March 12, 1953.
After this time he continued to work and farm. Wayne and Janie were fortunate to have great neighbors that they developed lifelong friendships with and could count on in times of need. When he wasn"t working or farming he spent time with the family. They were members of the Dean Baptist Church in Mangum and attended faithfully until it closed in the mid 60s. They then attended New Hope Baptist and later Trinity Baptist in Mangum. The family also enjoyed camping, hunting and fishing. As the kids grew older and married he welcomed in the family son-in-laws and daughter-in-laws. Then the happiest moment in his life came when he had grandchildren. Wayne and Janie felt the more the merrier and had a special place in their heart for each one.
Later in life when faced with extreme difficulties, Wayne showed his commitment to his wife and family. He was the most supportive and compassionate husband he could be as Janie dealt with life with Huntington"s. For over 15 years he was with her every day and night choosing to keep her home with him until the end. He was not only an amazing husband but a father that was there for both of his daughters as they also dealt with Huntington"s. Even though losing his wife, daughters, and grandson was the hardest thing he ever faced he kept pushing through life. At this stage he was now not only enjoying his grandkids but also his great grandkids. He was still working on the farm as much as he could. He enjoyed his daily drive around the farm and stopping at the coffee shop where the coffee was good but the laughter and conversation was better.
Wayne remained independent and insistent on living on his own until his health prevented it up until his late 80s. During this time while his vision was failing he always had the people of Mangum watching out for him and keeping him safe as he traveled on his scooter. He spent the last year and half at the VA center in Lawton where he received weekly visits from family and friends. On September 19, 2011 at the age of 91, Wayne was reunited with his family in heaven.
He is preceded in death by his parents- Drew and Eula Giddens, his brother- Roy Giddens, sister-Hazel Boggs, his wife-Janie, his grandson- Michael Joe Wilhite, and his daughters- Mary Lee Wilhite and Ruth Elaine White.
He is survived in death by two sons- Kenneth Giddens and his wife Cheryl of Springfield, Mo and Bobby Giddens and his wife Donna of Mangum, OK; 10 grandchildren, 23 great grandchildren and 6 great-great grandchildren.
The family wishes to thank all friends for their love and support. They also want to express their extreme gratitude to the VA in Lawton and Oklahoma City.
09/21/2011
6:00 PM
7:30 PM
Visitation
Greer Funeral Home
Mangum
OK
09/22/2011
2:00 PM
Funeral
Mangum Abundant Life Church
Mangum
OK
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Besides finding work he also found the love of his life and on February 5, 1938 he married Janie Mae Mitchell in Mangum. A year later they had their first child, Mary Lee, on January 10th, 1939. After she was born he moved his family just east of Reed a few miles and worked for Doc and McKinley Pierson for several years on a farm. On October 29, 1943 they had their second daughter, Ruth Elaine. He continued working there for several more years and then bought his first farm. He then enlisted in the Army to serve his country and was honorably discharged on December 10, 1945. In the late 40s he began driving a truck for Honorbuilt Feeds. On August 25th, 1951 Wayne and Janie had their first son, Kenneth Wayne, and two years later had their fourth child, Bobby Mack, on March 12, 1953.
After this time he continued to work and farm. Wayne and Janie were fortunate to have great neighbors that they developed lifelong friendships with and could count on in times of need. When he wasn"t working or farming he spent time with the family. They were members of the Dean Baptist Church in Mangum and attended faithfully until it closed in the mid 60s. They then attended New Hope Baptist and later Trinity Baptist in Mangum. The family also enjoyed camping, hunting and fishing. As the kids grew older and married he welcomed in the family son-in-laws and daughter-in-laws. Then the happiest moment in his life came when he had grandchildren. Wayne and Janie felt the more the merrier and had a special place in their heart for each one.
Later in life when faced with extreme difficulties, Wayne showed his commitment to his wife and family. He was the most supportive and compassionate husband he could be as Janie dealt with life with Huntington"s. For over 15 years he was with her every day and night choosing to keep her home with him until the end. He was not only an amazing husband but a father that was there for both of his daughters as they also dealt with Huntington"s. Even though losing his wife, daughters, and grandson was the hardest thing he ever faced he kept pushing through life. At this stage he was now not only enjoying his grandkids but also his great grandkids. He was still working on the farm as much as he could. He enjoyed his daily drive around the farm and stopping at the coffee shop where the coffee was good but the laughter and conversation was better.
Wayne remained independent and insistent on living on his own until his health prevented it up until his late 80s. During this time while his vision was failing he always had the people of Mangum watching out for him and keeping him safe as he traveled on his scooter. He spent the last year and half at the VA center in Lawton where he received weekly visits from family and friends. On September 19, 2011 at the age of 91, Wayne was reunited with his family in heaven.
He is preceded in death by his parents- Drew and Eula Giddens, his brother- Roy Giddens, sister-Hazel Boggs, his wife-Janie, his grandson- Michael Joe Wilhite, and his daughters- Mary Lee Wilhite and Ruth Elaine White.
He is survived in death by two sons- Kenneth Giddens and his wife Cheryl of Springfield, Mo and Bobby Giddens and his wife Donna of Mangum, OK; 10 grandchildren, 23 great grandchildren and 6 great-great grandchildren.
The family wishes to thank all friends for their love and support. They also want to express their extreme gratitude to the VA in Lawton and Oklahoma City.
09/21/2011
6:00 PM
7:30 PM
Visitation
Greer Funeral Home
Mangum
OK
09/22/2011
2:00 PM
Funeral
Mangum Abundant Life Church
Mangum
OK
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