Lawana Maria (Wannie) Givens

Lawana Maria Menendez Givens joined our ancestors on February 11, 2024. “Wannie” was born on March 13, 1955 to Lloyd Menendez Sr. and Edwina Victoria Gibson Menendez. She is the adored mother of Meghann Gibson (McGlothan) Diaz, beloved mother in law of Louis Diaz and Mimi to Malachi and Piper Diaz. She is the loving wife of the late Altimus J. Givens. Lawana is the cherished sister of Tanya Menendez, and the late Lloydel (Menendez) Wilson, Lloyd Menendez Jr. (Heidi), Linda Conerly, Linda Velasquez (Thomad), and Gwen Washington. She is the devoted aunt of Crystal Wilson (Brandon), Ryan Conerly, and the late Danny J. Wilson Jr. She is loved by her aunt Vanessa Menendez. God Daughter of Ethel “Flo” Scott who will especially miss her darling godchild. Lawana had a plethora of cousins, play sisters, brothers from other mothers, honorary mothers, bonus children, and friends. Lawana was a lifelong resident of New Orleans, Louisiana. She was raised in Pontchatrain Park where she attended Coghill Elementary and dance school. She maintained this love of dance throughout her life as she would be the first one on and last one off the dance floor. Lawana was extremely intelligent. She graduated from McDonogh #35 High School at the top of her class and Dillard University Suma Cum Laude. She worked for the Social Security Administration and retired as a Supervisor. She was a longtime member of Mt. Carmel Baptist Church and active member of St. John Institutional Missionary Baptist Church, where she diligently served under the tutelage of Pastor Louis S. Jones, as Treasurer, Sunday School Teacher and Lent her beautiful soprano voice to the choir. Lawana’s love of Live Theater came into fruition when she was cast by the late Ty Tracy as Mother LeRoux in NORD Theater’s stage play “Cinderella Battistella” then later as Headmistress Madame Dubonnet in “The Boyfriend” a well a working the summer children’s theater. Lawana was a caring, compassionate, lover of life, and Women of God. Shill be missed physically but we know that a light so bright can never be dimmed. We love you Wannie. Lawana will be laid to rest on Friday March 15, 2024 at a private burial at Mt. Olivet Cemetery.