Jun 26, 2008

Ernestine Lamb Givans passed from this earth Sunday, June 22, 2008 at Mercy Villa in Springfield, Mo., from a lengthy illness. She was born on Oct. 8, 1928 to Dr. Hugh and Elvena Swinney Lamb in St. Louis, Mo. She was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, Rev. James Lamb and Jay Lamb, a sister, Geraldine Lamb, infant daughter, Cynthia Ann, and her husband, Robert "Bob" Givans. Following her graduation from Miss Hickeys Secretarial School in St. Louis, she began her career as an executive secretary for such companies as Darcy Advertising and Aeronautical Chart in St. Louis. It was here that she met Robert L. Givans, her husband. They were married on Jan. 1, 1960 in St. Louis. To this union, three daughters were born. She gladly gave up the daily grind to raise her daughters as a stay at home mother. Because of this, she was able to help her daughters in scouting, swim teams and a long list of camps and other activities. She was a Mother Advisor for Rainbow Girls for several years, as well as a former president of the Douglas County Republican Women’s Club. She was also a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Ava Chapter #47 and a member of the First Southern Baptist Church, Ava. Ernestine assisted her husband in their business, Douglas County Abstract and Title Co. in Ava for over 20 years. They enjoyed Drury Panther basketball as season ticket holders for many years. In 1995, they moved from Ava to Springfield. Robert passed away in 1998. She is survived by two daughters, Julie Miles, Springfield, Mo., and Mary Ann and Scott Lambers, Leawood, Kan. In addition to her daughters, she leaves four adored grandchildren: Alexander Robert Miles, William Davis Miles, Clarissa Elizabeth Lambers and Jennifer Nicole Lambers, as well as her sister-in-law, Virginia Pettit, Oak Ridge, Tenn. Also surviving are nephews, Robert Pettit, Chevy Chase, Md., her nieces, Deborah Lamb, St. Louis, Mo., Susan Pettit, Harpswell, Me., and Linda Felton, Oak Ridge, Tenn. A graveside memorial service will be held Thursday, June 26, 2008, at 10 a.m. in the Ava Cemetery, Ava, with the Rev. Oren Alcorn officiating. Visitation was Wednesday from 6 to 7 p.m. at Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Ava. Memorial donations may be made to Douglas County Library or Douglas County Historical Society. Online condolences may be made at www.clinkingbeardfuneralhome. com.