Libby Whittington

Surrounded by her family and friends, Elizabeth (Libby) Givens Whittington passed away peacefully on the morning of July 2, 2023. She was 69 years old. Libby was born on July 13, 1953 in Hinds County, Jackson, Mississippi. She was the second daughter of Dorothy Tanner Givens and Emory Murray Givens. She was raised in Jackson and attended Callaway High School before graduating and enrolling at Mississippi State University. While working at McRae’s Department Store during Thanksgiving holiday, she met the love of her life, Markel Whittington. They eloped to Pensacola, Florida in the summer of 1974 and were married at Gadston St. United Methodist Church. They spent two years there before transferring to Tupelo, Mississippi where Markel would eventually open his own business and they would settle for the last 43 years.
During that time, Libby was an active member of First United Methodist Church where she taught Sunday School, played handbells, and was a member of the Altar Guild. She was a proud member of the United Methodist Women, where she served as President, and she was active in countless charities and organizations like the Mississippi Committee for the National Museum of Women in the Arts. Libby served as President of the Symphony League and President of the Gumtree Museum of Art Guild of Volunteers. She was a member of Junior Auxiliary and served as Charity Ball Chairman in 1998, and Secretary in 1999. Libby was recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow by Rotary International. She had many friends and loved cooking, entertaining, and spending time with her family as well as attending plays and musicals at TCT. She was a kind friend in times of trouble and always willing to help her fellow man.

Libby was preceded in death by her parents, and her in-laws, Mr. and Mrs. Charles H. Whittington, and sisters-in-law Betty Whittington, Sally Whittington, and Opal Whittington.

She is survived by her husband, Markel and her sons, Preston (Anna) and Pierce (Brittney), whom she loved unconditionally; four grandchildren, Stanley Pierce, Catherine Elizabeth, Charlotte Elliott, and Frances (Frankie) Rhodes; two sisters, Emily Givens LaRue (Tom), Mary Virginia Givens Clark (Dave); and her beloved baby brother, John Emory Givens (Cindie); many handsome and outstanding nephews; her well-loved only niece, Tracy LaRue Jones (Kyle) and many Whittington brothers-in-law and their families all over the US.
Visitation will be 9 a.m. until 11 a.m. Friday, July 7, 2023 at First United Methodist Church.
A memorial service will follow at 11 a.m. Friday at the church. Pegues Funeral Directors has been entrusted with the arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations in Libby’s name be made to her favorite charity, Gumtree Museum of Art.

Expressions of sympathy and fond memories may be shared at PeguesFuneralHome.com.