Carol Jane Givan

On the morning of Friday, September 20, 2024, a beautiful mourning dove flew onto a dogwood tree branch and sat in front of Carol’s girlhood home on Queen Street in Wilmington, North Carolina. The dove calmly looked around as if familiar with the scenery. That evening, Carol Jane McIntyre Givan peacefully slipped into eternal rest.

Carol is now reunited in Heaven with her beloved husband, John W. Givan; her parents, Earl A. and Mary Elizabeth McIntyre; three brothers, Rev. Earl R. Cheek, Ernest H. McIntyre, Sr. and Donald R. McIntyre; three grandchildren, Michael X. McIntyre and babies Hassan McIntyre and Alexander John (AJ) McIntyre; three sisters-in-law, Juanita E. Cheek, Catherine M. McIntyre, and Catherine Givan; and one brother-in-law, Eugene Wm. Jordan Sr.. What a grand reunion it must have been.

Carol graduated with the Class of 1967 from Williston Senior High School in Wilmington, N.C.. As a young member of St. Luke AME Zion Church, she sang with the junior choir and, on Sunday mornings, with a gospel group for the worship hour on the radio. Group members included her sister, Evonne McIntyre McGill, Anthony Ginwright on the piano,Rosetta Robinson, Eloise R. Edwards, Carolyn Simpkins, and Ethel Simpkins Jefferies. Together, they shared their beautiful and powerful voices with the community.

Carol’s love for community led her to New York and then to Massachusetts, where she married John W. Givan and began a 36-year career at Boston Edison. After her retirement, she worked with the Metropolitan Council for Educational Opportunities, Inc. as a registrar clerk, helping inner-city children access urban schools. She was mentored by Dr. Jean McGuire and dedicated her time to "Grassroots Parents."

Carol was generous, compassionate, and believed in looking out for others. After her second retirement, she moved to Greensboro, North Carolina, where she shared a close companionship with John Cheney Sr. until his passing.

She left Greensboro, NC to live in New Castle, DE with her daughter-in-law and caregiver. Though her health slowed her down, her spirit remained vibrant. Carol never met a stranger and enjoyed connecting with people. She enjoyed spending her time at the St. Francis and the New Castle Senior Centers during the week. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

Carol leaves to cherish her memory two daughters, Catherine A. McIntyre and N-E-KGivan (Al) of Mattapan, MA; one son, Michael L. McIntyre (Jantell) of Harrison, NJ; two sisters, Claudia M. Jordan and Evonne M. McGill (Paul) of Wilmington, NC; four sisters-in-law, Deborah S. McIntyre of Burlington, NJ, Sandra Givan of Cambridge, MA, Patricia G. Underwood (Daniel), and Susan G. Niles (Warren) of Randolph, MA; four grandchildren Rasheen McIntyre of Boston, MA, Alexis Parker (Lonnie) of Manassas, VA, Jamaal McIntyre of Boston, MA, and Jazzman McIntyre of Hampton, VA; her daughter-in-law and caregiver, Tami McIntyre (Bill) of New Castle, DE; a special cousin who was like a brother, Theodore B. Butler of Washington, DC; six great-grandchildren, and a large host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends across the U.S. and Europe. All will cherish her memory.

The family expresses deep gratitude to friends in Massachusetts, the Columbus Ave. AME Zion Church community and friends in Greensboro, Wilmington, St. Louis, and New Castle, DE, for their love, support, and kindness.