Devetta’s Story

“Be not uniformed, Beloveds, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him our Beloved Devetta who has fallen asleep.”
1 Thessalonians 4:13-14
The last of “Poppa and Pecolia’s 13 Pearls” and our “Favorite Hampton Roads Gurl,” Devetta Elenora Griffin Alston was born to the late Allen Walter (Poppa) and Pecolia Griffin on March 15, 1943, in Norfolk County (Chesapeake) Virginia. Having fought the good fight, she relinquished the ghost and departed this earthly journey on Thursday, June 29, 2023, in the comforts of her home in Portsmouth, Virginia surrounded by her loving children.
Devetta was educated in the public school system of Portsmouth, Virginia and in her formative years she matriculated through Pinners Point and Brighton Elementary Schools, Harry A. Hunt Jr. High School, and I.C. Norcom High School. Her educational journey also included the successful completion of cashier training at a Norfolk Skills Center.
Devetta was reared in a god-fearing home and ensured that she provided the same for her four children. Embracing the knowledge of God as Lord and Savior was an important concept for her and a significant principle that was imparted into each of her offspring. While not brow beating her children with rigid religious practices, it was imperative that they receive basic Christian education. As such, Sunday school and Summer Vacation Bible school were a must. In earlier years, she attended Mount Calvary Baptist Church – Portsmouth, Virginia, under the pastorate of Rev. James I. Boyd; however, in 2003 she reaffirmed her relationship with Christ Jesus and was baptized, along with her husband, Samuel, and youngest daughter, Debra, at Calvary Revival Church – Norfolk Virginia, under the leadership of Bishop B. Courtney McBath.
Devetta united in holy matrimony with Samuel L. Alston on March 6, 1965, and shared 54 years until God summoned him to eternal rest on April 10, 2019. In her earthly journey, she was gainfully employed at the Maryview Medical Center as a Dietary Aide, Montgomery Wards, Inc. as a Retail Associate, Good Neighbor Pharmacy as a Clerk, and finally as a devoted caregiver to seniors who suffered with dementia/ Alzheimer’s disease and to her beloved grandnephew and grandniece – Amare and Amani Greene. Of all the positions in life that she held, by far the most important one was that of Mother. If sacrifice for your children could be personified, she would be the national poster child. She centered her very existence around the lives of her four children and sacrificed tremendously to ensure their success and happiness.

Devetta was a woman of few words; however, when she spoke, it was with conviction and true love. She oftentimes gave advice, when solicited, to the young women in her life. She was an original fashion icon (a girly girl, if you will), always impeccably dressed (oftentimes in shades of purple) with matching accessories. She possessed an astute mindfulness in both her personal fashions and home decorating, and she lived by the philosophy of making much out of little. Her favorite pastimes included word search puzzle books and amusing herself with the likes of television westerns, the Game Show Network, the Oprah Network, and HGTV.

Left with cherished memories and a charge to carry forth her legacy are four children: Antonio G., William E., Denene E. (Sharon), and Debra E.; Grandchilden: Andrew and Nyia; six Sisters-in-Love: Margaret Alston, Lorraine Burroughs, Sarah King, Lucinda G. Whitfield (Judson), Betty P. Alston, and Priscilla A. Dunikins; two devoted caregivers: Karen Shelton and Nish Reid; a multitude of nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of friends.

Lovingly,
The Family