Joseph Donald Giddens

Hinesville Joseph Donald Giddens, 85, died Wednesday at Hospice Savannah after a long illness. Born in Dodge County, Georgia, Mr. Giddens had been a resident of Hinesville since 1958.  He was a graduate of Chester High School and University of Georgia and a veteran of the US Army.  He retired from the US Department of Agriculture after 30 years of service.  He was a member of First Baptist church, where he was active in the Peace Maker Sunday School Class.  Mr. Giddens was a sportsman.   He hunted and fished and was a member of the Hinesville Hunting Club for 50 years.  He enjoyed college baseball and basketball and, in the 1950’s and 60’s, was a high school basketball referee for several years, traveling throughout the state of Georgia.  He was preceded in death by his parents, W.T. and Clara Mae Giddens.  He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Shirley Giddens, and his son, Donnie Giddens, both of Hinesville; brothers, Marvin Giddens of Eastman, GA, and Delmar Giddens of Dexter, GA; sisters, Myrt Tyson and Clarice Sheehan of Macon; two grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren. Visitation will be 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Saturday at Carter Funeral Home.  A graveside service will be held at 3:30 p.m. in Middleground Cemetery near Eastman, GA, with Rev. Roy Broughman and Rev. Steve Davis officiating.  Pallbearers will be Newton Coker, Tommie Giddens, Jeffery Dominy, T. Tyson, Mark Horne, and Michael Sheehan.  Honorary pallbearers will be members of The Hinesville Hunting Club. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to First Baptist Church, 220 Memorial Drive, Hinesville, Ga  31313. Carter Funeral Home Oglethorpe Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. Online condolences can be made at www.carteroglethorpe.com.   To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Joseph Donald Giddens, please visit our flower store.