the Pamplico area of Florence County.  He is the son of Annette and the late Moses Smoot of Florence, SC and Rev. Dr. John and Freddie Mae Givens of Paterson, NJ. Lynwood is married to JoAn Givens and they have 3 daughters Lyndsey, Jada, and Jordan.

He is a graduate of Hannah-Pamplico High School in Pamplico South

Carolina and obtained his BS Degree in Business Administration from Voorhees University in Denmark, SC.   Later he earned a Masters Degree in Human

Resource Development from Webster University in St. Louis, Missouri.

Lynwood is employed by the City of Florence as the Purchasing Agent. Lynwood is a member of Pee Dee Baptist Church in Pamplico, SC where he served on the deacon ministry.  He is a former member of the South Carolina Utility Billing Association and a Past President of their Board of Directors. His additional professional memberships include the National Institute of Governmental Purchasing and the South Carolina Association of Governmental Purchasing Officials.  He is also a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc.

Mr. Givens is a 33º Degree Mason and is Past Master of St. Luke Lodge #171, a member of St. Luke Chapter #116 Order of the Eastern Star, Pee Dee Chapter #32 of Holy Royal Arch Masons, Hiram Council #4 of the Royal and Select Masters, Alpha & Omega Commandary #7 of the Knights Templar, Past Commander-In-Chief of McDonald Consistory #226 of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, Past Illustrious Potentate of Bejilah Temple #163 and Past Imperial Deputy of the Oasis of Marion South Carolina of the Ancient Egyptian Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine.

Lynwood has served the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of South Carolina as a Worshipful Assistant to the Prince Hall Voice, Special Deputy, Worshipful Aide to the Grand Master, District Deputy of the Ninth Masonic District, Right Worshipful Junior Grand Warden, Right Worshipful Senior Grand Warden and presently serves and the Right Worshipful Deputy Grand Master.

                                His motto is “I’m just a man, doing the best I can,

                                                 While I can, as long as I can.”