Obit of Givens, Jocelyn - Oklahoma County, Oklahoma Submitted by: Gene Phillips 5 Dec 2004 Return to Oklahoma County Archives: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ok/oklahoma/oklahoma.html ========================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ========================================================================== Givens, Jocelyn On September 14, 2002, Jocelyn Givens passed away after a long and courageously fought battle against numerous illnesses, including irreversible kidney disease. There are simply no words that can be written which accurately describe the deep sadness and profound anguish felt by every member of Jocelyn's family at the loss of their most cherished member - just one day before her 33rd birthday. But written words are the only way we have left to let Jocelyn know how much we loved and admired her during the life she shared with us. Jocelyn was born to Norman and Shirley Foster in Baltimore, Maryland on September 15, 1969. As a child, Jocelyn traveled around Europe with her parents, which gave her wonderful memories and a passion for taking far-away and not so-far-away vacations whenever she could. After moving to Oklahoma, Jocelyn graduated from Putnam City High School in 1987 and the University of Oklahoma in 1992 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree. Jocelyn worked her way through college by waiting tables and working as a photography assistant for Shevaun Williams in Norman. It was during her tenure with Shevaun that Jocelyn found her real talent, and a career in which to use it. Jocelyn had an amazing eye for portrait photography, and the equally important gift of being able to make her clients feel totally at ease. These rare talents created exceptional photographs that will be treasured by Jocelyn's clients, family and friends throughout their lifetimes. In 1989, Jocelyn met her future husband, Keith. After developing a close friendship, Jocelyn and Keith began dating and have been together ever since. They just celebrated their 13th year together and would have celebrated their 8th wedding anniversary in November. The highlight of their relationship came on November 7, 1998 when their daughter, Sofia, was born. In just four years, Sofia has acquired so many of Jocelyn's best qualities including an artistic eye, an unbelievable sense of humor, and a strong passion for reading. It will take many friends and family members to provide the incredible love, guidance and support that Jocelyn provided to Sofia all by herself. Jocelyn has given Sofia everything she needs to flourish in whatever she chooses to do, and Jocelyn's family and friends will definitely help Keith finish what Jocelyn started. We will also make sure that Sofia knows Jocelyn will always be with us in so many ways; in the family kisses we will still share, in the rainbows Mommy will paint for her 'little peanut,' and in all the memories we have from the ilfetime of wonderful experiences and adventures we had during Sofia's first four years. At times, Jocelyn tried to define herself by the various medical conditions and limitations that were inexplicably thrust upon her. However, everyone who had the privilege to spend any amount of time with Jocelyn knew that she was a beautiful and free spirit just trapped inside an imperfect shell. It was not the tragic obstacles that Jocelyn overcame again and again which defined her. What we will always remember is that Jocelyn handled everything she faced with perfect grace and dignity, as well as an amazing smile that we all loved so much and will miss evermore. Jocelyn's remarkable ability to divert everyone's attention away from the stress and suffering that became part of her daily life, usually through a joke of some kind, was the most precious and selfless gift Jocelyn gave to each one of us. For this, and all the other countless ways Jocelyn enhanced and enriched our lives, we will be forever grateful. Besides the unbelievable love and warmth she gave to her family and friends, Jocelyn also made an impact on her community. She volunteered for many charitable efforts including Oklahoma Lawyers for Children and the Care Center. Jocelyn also donated many hours teaching disadvantaged junior high students how to read. Jocelyn is survived by her husband, Keith Givens; a beloved daughter, Sofia Givens; her parents, Norman and Shirley Foster; a sister, Alison Daugherity; a brother, Justin Foster; her grandparents, Tom and Connie Humphrey; her mother-in-law, Arline Givens; a sister-in-law, Cindy Bindner; and many other in-laws, aunts, uncles, cousins and dear friends. We all love and miss you dearly Jocelyn, and eagerly look forward to the day when we will see each other again. You were, and always will be, our angel. A celebration of Jocelyn Givens' life will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 17th, at the Hahn-Cook Funeral Home located at 6006 N. Grand Blvd. (between N.W. 63rd and Western). In lieu of flowers, Jocelyn's family requests that donations be made in honor of Jocelyn to the Oklahoma Organ Sharing Network in Oklahoma City (care of Phil VanStavern) or any charity of your choice. Published in the Oklahoman on 9/16/2002. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Return to Oklahoma County Archives: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ok/oklahoma/oklahoma.html