GIVENS, Rita Lynn passed away at home peacefully April 30 2023. Born Oct 7th 1946, the youngest daughter of 11 children to Corbett Washington and Ada Lena Givens (Ingram) in Caneyville, Ky.  While having had lived in the Pleasure Ridge Park and Highlands areas of Louisville, most of her life though; Rita called California (San Francisco), and in her later years, Georgia (Sandy Springs and Cumming) home. She is survived by her sister, Carole Wilson (Givens) and a host of loving nieces, nephews, cousins, family and friends. After graduating from Pleasure Ridge High School and the University of Kentucky, she migrated west with the hippie movement in the late 60s where she found her heart’s home at the San Francisco State University campus. It was there where she obtained her Doctorate in Dutch (Women’s) Studies and, whether as the assistant to the chair of her department, a professor or how ever; she dedicated her professional life towards the enrichment of the mind and to those in search of higher learning, living and purpose. Known as always quiet and polite, you knew when something didn’t suit her, though, and she used her voice with purpose to break barriers (especially women’s rights) and enriched the lives of all she touched. She was the living inspiration to family members and others, showing them the way to break the chains of poverty and blaze one's own trail in life. It was Rita’s love of travel and experiencing other cultures which brought her to her love of Dutch culture (fluent in both the written and spoken language) and art appreciation across the disciplines (with a special admiration of impressionistic art and the works of Georgia O’Keeffe). She was the fun aunt/sister who could hop a flight to Europe to take in the museums and go to Lollapalooza for some cool music, art and activism. Throughout the fun, though, Rita’s sense of love, loyalty and responsibility were engraved on her heart and in her soul, paying homage to her family heritage as an editor and published writer using the pen name of Rita Ingram. Even when living on her own in an expensive coastal community, she regularly called home to check on family members, rendering aid when needed and sending home boxes of Christmas presents along the way.  So, through it all, Rita remained true to her inner-hippie core, carrying Peace, Love and Light wherever she roamed. She was the least judgmental, free-thinking person you'd ever meet and earnestly thought people should live and let live. She meant it and lived it. Special thanks to all past and present who were dear to, and cared for, her including her niece, Cynthia Embry, Hosperus and nursing care providers (Brittany). A burial service will be held Wednesday June 7th 2023 at 1pm EST at Cain cemetery, near Do-Stop, Ky. In closing, Peace out (Aunt) Rita. Your impact on this earth is eternal… you are forever loved and will never be forgotten!