Helen Givens is a Harlan County native, having never really left the small Kentucky town. She is the sister of Frances Givens, long deceased, and the aunt of U.S. Deputy Marshal Raylan Givens. She is also his stepmother, having married her sister's widow, Arlo Givens. She is kind and loving, especially to Raylan, but perhaps a bit too indulgent of Arlo's less-than-upstanding behavior -- the kind that pits father against son.