Rosetta Patricia Pritchard Givens, born May 18, 1938 in Leesburg, FL, was one of three girls born from the union of William E. Pritchard (deceased) and Thelma M. Pritchard (deceased). She gained her early, primary, and secondary education at Leesburg Training School/Carver Heights High School and graduated from Johnson Community College with an Associate Degree in Secretarial Science. With her sisters, they gained notoriety throughout Leesburg as the Pritchard Sisters, singing at multiple churches and venues throughout the State of Florida with their father accompanying them on the piano.
On May 8, 1972, she formed a union with Raymond Givens, sharing 52 years of marriage.
Affectionately known as “Miss Etta” to most, she was well known throughout Central Florida for her gift as a musician, playing for many churches of varying denominations. She played for the Angelic Chorus, an all-female interdenominational choir, and often substituted for many musicians at multiple churches, often rearranging her schedule just long enough to play for one or two churches before returning to her own at Mt. Calvary Missionary Baptist Church to play again. As a devout deaconess, Etta took her role in the church for more than 40 years, functioning as the church clerk, church pianist, Director for the Youth Department, and Sunday School teacher. Within the community, she often led vote polling efforts, supported civil rights movements, was an active contributor to the Bethel Baptist Association for the Congress of Christian Education as Pageant Directress for the Youth Choir, and served as member of the Retired Educators Association. She was also a member of Christian Women United and the American Cancer Society.
After working for more than 30 years with the State of Florida as a DCF Case Manager, she retired only to do more “work.” For 14 years, she served as a valued employee for Rocker-Cusack Mortuary. She was very active at equal rights events, voting events, and major fundraising events across Lake County, and was consistently seen and heard playing for the annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Breakfast.
She was a devoted wife to Raymond Givens and mother to seven children: M. Gary Pritchard (deceased); M. Gayle Smith (Leesburg, FL); Anthony Pritchard (deceased); Deryl Boyd (Shirley), Leesburg, FL; Synod Boyd (Ashburn, VA); Blaine Johnson (Leesburg, FL); and Gerald Givens (Debra), Mascotte, FL. She cherished her sister, Thelma P. Colden (Robert), Leesburg, FL. She also shared motherhood with five other children: Deborah Coleman (deceased); Pam King (Marvin); Pete Hood (Shaun); Rheda Khyler (Jerome); and Doris Parris. She was grandmother to eight grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren. Five very devoted friends of more than 70 years: Dorothy Everett, Agnes Berry, Margaret Parham, Bettye Stephens Coney, and Winnie Hodge. Two special sons: Dwayne Mack (Atlanta, GA) and Cory Gavin (Ashburn, VA) and a host of cousins, nephews, nieces, sorrowing friends, and a team of local medical physicians and nurses.
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Lying in Repose
12
Oct
1012 E. Line Street
Leesburg, FL 34748
Funeral Service
12
Oct
1012 E. Line Street
Leesburg, FL 34748