Mendes Arnez Givens was born October 3, 1985 to the late Desi Arnette Givens, Sr. and Dorothy Givens-Sanders in Columbus, MS. He confessed hope in Christ at an early age at Charity Mission Full Gospel Baptist Church under the leadership of Bishop Bobby L. McCarter, Sr. As member of Charity Mission Full Gospel Baptist Church, Mendes was an active member of the choir, praise and worship team as well as a member of the Bishop Bobby L. McCarter, Sr Scholarship Committee.
Mendes was a 2004 Honor Graduate of West Lowndes High School in Columbus, MS. In 2009, he received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science at Mississippi State University in Starkville, MS. After completing matriculation at MSU, Mendes worked in retail until finding his love in banking and finance. He served as a Branch Manager with Regions Bank in Columbus, MS for several years. He later relocated to Franklin, TN after accepting a position with Bank of America as the Small Business Loan Manager. While in Tennessee, Mendes continued to soar in the banking industry by serving as Branch Manager at Fifth Third Bank and Legends Bank. Upon his transition, he was serving as the Director of Housing with Community Housing Partnership for the State of Tennessee.
He is preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Larenzo & Irma Givens.
Mendes departed this life on Friday, September 2, 2022 at Williamson Medical Center in Franklin, TN.
He leaves to cherish his memories: his loving mother, Dorothy (Gerond) Sanders of Columbus, MS; his sister, Marquita Cunningham of Artesia, MS and his brother, Desi Arnette Givens, Jr of Columbus, MS; his grandparents, Laura Hairston of Columbus, MS and Joe (Thelma) Neal of Starkville, MS; one special sister, Monica McGee of Columbus, MS and two special brothers, Cedric (Bridgette) McGee of Auburn, GA and Leon Phillips, Jr of Columbus, MS; and a 2 nephews, Jataquist "Dude" Brown & Jaraquist "Lil Man" Cunningham & one niece, Ja'Nijia "Ni" Cunningham all of Artesia, MS; God-sister, Ceniyah Jamison of Artesia, MS; and a host of loving family members and dear friends.