Arletha Josephine Watson Devan was born on July 18,1944 in Kinston, NC. She departed this earthly life at 4:54 am on September 8, 2023. She was preceded in death by her parents, Ralph and Arletha Watson; her husband, Russell DeVan; three siblings, Ada Darnell Watson, Grace Marie Watson, and Ralph Edward Watson; and her precious daughter, Gwendolyn Renee Watson.

Arletha was the youngest of four children. In her household she was known as "Little Honey", a name given to her by her oldest sister. "Aunt Honey", as she is affectionately known by the Mount Sinai Family, was a graduate of Adkin High School and from there she attended Winston-Salem State University and remained an active member of the Alumni Association.

Arletha moved to Brooklyn, New York in 1966 and acquired a love and appreciation for the arts. She was employed at Bell Atlantic Phone Company for 30 years and graduated from the College of New Rochelle with a degree in Sociology. Arletha became a member of the City of Hope Greater-Saint Mary Church in Brooklyn, New York where she served as a Trustee and a member of the Hospitality Guild. After the death of her daughter, Renee, in 1997, Arletha worked as a substitute teacher for the New York City Board of Education. It was always her desire to move back to North Carolina and purchase a home after retirement. In 1999, she moved to Winston-Salem and made her dream a reality. Arletha became a member of Mount Sinai Full Gospel Deliverance Center where she served as Coordinator of the Birthday Club and a member of the Spiritual Choir.

Unable to sit still for very long, Arletha found a new calling. She became an employee of the First Baptist Church Children's Center. This is where she acquired the name "Ms. AJ". After the closing of the center in 2017, she was employed by the Epiphany Early Childhood Center, where she became "Mama AJ" to many of the children and constituents.

Arletha was an avid traveler and never met a stranger. It was hard for her to go anywhere without meeting someone she knew. She would often share stories from her travels and encourage others to enjoy life. Arletha loved sharing her life experiences and wisdom with the younger generation. Her hope was that with God's help they would reach their full potential.

Whether she was Auntie, Little Honey, Aunt Honey, Ms. AJ, Mama AJ, or Aunt Sweets, she was always the same loving, kind, and gentle person that everyone grew to love.

She leaves to cherish wonderful memories two devoted nieces, Cynthia Watson Jeffries of Winston-Salem, NC and Sherrie Francine Dampeer of Brooklyn, New York; two Goddaughters, Moneca Jackson of Brooklyn, New York and Tarja Huggins of Washington, DC; the Mount Sinai Full Gospel Deliverance Center Family; the Windley Family that embraced her as their own; all the children and families that ever crossed her path; a host of adopted brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, grands, great-grands, and an extensive list of loyal friends.

A viewing will be held from 1:00pm until 5:00pm Thursday, September 14, 2023 at Russell Funeral Home.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00pm Friday, September 15, 2023 at Mount Sinai Full Gospel Deliverance Center with Dr. Yvonne H. Hines officiating. Interment will follow in Piedmont Memorial Gardens. The family visitation will be held from 12:00 Noon until 1:00pm on Friday at the Church.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the National Pancreatic Cancer Foundation at www.npcf.us