Mr. Bert James Giddens

Our beloved husband, father and grandfather, Bert James Giddens, age 81, passed away peacefully Tuesday, December 22, 2015, surrounded by his loving family. Visitation will be 11:30am until the 1:00pm funeral mass Saturday, December 26, 2015, at St. Peter’s Catholic Cathedral in Jackson. Interment will follow at Parkway Memorial Cemetery in Ridgeland. Bert, was born August 31, 1934, in Mobile, AL. He attended St. Vincent Catholic School through 4th grade, Catholic Boys Home through 8th grade and graduated from McGill Catholic High School. After graduation, he served our country in the U.S. Marines. Upon discharge from the Marines, he moved to California and attended Chapman College where he was elected freshman class president. He returned to Mobile and attended Springhill College, where he met JoAnne, the love of his life. They married on August 29, 1959. In 1969 Bert and JoAnne moved their family to Jackson, MS where they resided until his death. He graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi and then Jackson School of Law. Bert ran a successful law practice for 43 years with JoAnne as his legal secretary where he was later joined by his son Greg Giddens. They were partners for the past 23 years. Bert was an active member of St. Therese Catholic Church serving in a variety of ministries. In 2006 Bert and Joanne joined St. John Catholic Church in Crystal Springs. He was preceded in death by his parents, Josephine and Robertus Giddens, and two younger brothers, Vincent and Anthony Giddens. Survivors include his wife JoAnne Giddens of Jackson; children, Vivian Ann “Vianne” Welch (Bill) of Madison, Bert Giddens, Jr.(Cindy) of Jackson, Jill Giddens Monk (David) of Eugene, OR and Greg Giddens (Capathia) of Crystal Springs; grandchildren Margaret, Dalton, Bridgette, Noah, Madison, Brooke, Kathleen, Bailey Anne, Abigail, Gwyneth, and Bella. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to St. John Catholic Church in Crystal Springs, MS. On line guest book www.chancellorfuneralhome.com.