Libby Giddings

Carolyn Elizabeth Giddings, known as Libby all her life, went to be with the Lord on July 25, 2021.

Born the youngest of four children in 1935, to Vallie and Calvin Griffith, she was doted on by the whole family, especially her big brother John Griffith. She would laugh telling stories about him carting her around in a wheel barrow, perhaps not realizing he was acting out the latest Bonnie and Clyde escapade.

She grew into a tall, gray-eyed dark haired beauty who caught the eye of Raymond "Bud" Giddings at only 14. He waited for her to grow up and they married in 1952, driving through the parish calling out to their friends to invite them to the wedding the day they tied the knot.

They had many things in common... a love of the "country" where they were both born and raised, fishing and fish fries, long road trips, and time with family. But most of all they shared a love of God and belief in Jesus Christ.

For several decades, they made their home in Shreveport, Louisiana, raising two children to walk in their shared faith. Active members of Lakeshore Baptist, you could find her teaching the girls' Sunday School class. After deciding that the church needed a library, she got to work. Libby found a room, got books donated, set up the check out system and organized the creation of the church library. She also served in the Women's Missionary Union, including a term as President.

Those who knew her know Libby had an artistic soul. But they may not know it all started with a prayer. She prayed and told God she wanted to learn to paint. Libby reached out to someone at PPG where Bud worked and asked if she could have a few colors of the oil paint left over from tinting the decor paint. Instead of just a few, she was gifted one of every color. Yes. God cares about our passions.

Once her children were teens, she found an additional outlet for her passion by working at Artland. It was there that her artistic journey continued with Libby honing her craft, teaching, and selling her realistic landscapes at art fairs all over the South.

Her love of color spilled over into her affinity for gardening. Instead of creating landscapes on canvas Libby crafted stunning flower-scapes in her backyard. She passed on her knowledge of plants diligently to those who cared to learn and daylilies she cultivated bloom across Louisiana and Texas thanks to her generosity.

Libby's quick wit never dulled, even as she aged, keeping everyone on their toes with her smart, feisty comebacks. Through it all she remained spirited, and yes, a little stubborn, but most of all sweet and loving.

A funeral service celebrating her life will be held at 1:30 PM Wednesday, July 28th at Bethel Baptist Church near Martin, LA. Bro. Wiley Cole will officiate services. Interment will follow in Bethel Baptist Cemetery near the church. The family will receive friends from 12:30 PM until the time of services at the church.

Libby was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and siblings Hazel and Ralph. Left to cherish her memory are her son, Keith; her daughter, Carol with husband William; her brother John; granddaughter Abby with husband Bryan; two great grandchildren, Jonathan and Hayden; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Honoring Libby as pallbearers will be Bryan Hoeffner, Jonathan Hoeffner, Hayden Hoeffner, Chris Moore, and Eric Griffith, and Jim Witte.