Doreatha Avens
Doreatha Avens was born September 12, 1945 to the late Amos Artis and Mary Tennessee-Artis in Southampton County, Virginia. She passed peacefully at home on June 29, 2023 in Richmond, Virginia at the age of 77. She was the fourth youngest of nine children.
After graduating high school, Doreatha furthered her education by attending technical school. In her adult life, she moved to Richmond, VA where she worked retail at Thalhimers for many years. Later, she met and married her late husband, James Avens. Together they had two children, Angelia and Aaron. She then went on to open and run her own daycare.
Doreatha’s service didn’t end there. She went on to serve over forty years as a dedicated member of Little Rock Holiness Church (later known as Liberty Rock), led by her brother, Bishop Randolph Artis. There, her missionary work began.
Sister Doreatha held several positions within her church including church secretary, pastor’s aide, youth Sunday president, youth Bible school teacher, and vacation bible school teacher. She faithfully fulfilled her duties until her illness.
Sister Doreatha believed her calling was in missionary, always willing to help her church family in their times of need. She touched many lives of familiar faces and strangers alike, leaving her positive influence everywhere she went. She was a loving, caring, wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin and friend.
Doreatha Avens is preceded in death by her parents: Amos Artis and Mary Tennessee-Artis; a beloved husband James Avens; sister: Minister Ruby Gary and husband Pastor James Gary (deceased); brothers: Amos Artis, Jr., Raymond Artis, Bishop Randolph Artis and wife Barbara Jean (deceased), Elder Roy Artis and wife Gracie (deceased).
She leaves to cherish her memories: her daughter: Angelia Artis-Johnson; son: Aaron Avens and wife Chemyn; sister: Miss Jean Artis; brothers: Elder Harry Artis and wife Chris, and Mr. Lewis Prince; six grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins, and a true and faithful friend/church sister until the end: Sister Shirley Jones.
A ‘home going’ graveside service has been set for Friday, July 14th, at 3:00 pm at Forest Lawn Cemetery-4000 Pilots Lane, Richmond, VA 23222.
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I love you forever grandma!
Angie & Family,
Thinking about you during this time of loss and sending prayers for comfort & peace. Thank you for allowing Legacy to care for mom during her end-of-life journey.
Warm Regards,
Legacy Hospice- Richmond Team
Mrs. Doreatha I am really really going to miss you. You and I used to talk and we will talk about anything it didn’t make a difference. But I know that you just kept telling me you don’t like short men I don’t like short men but you liked one short man. All I would do is laugh when you told me that cuz it didn’t change what I thought my own eyes pertaining to you too. You a bust out and laugh and then you would speed right around the corner to your apartment. I remember one day I hadn’t seen you and I think it was like for two days and I’m not doing your door and I asked you were you okay and you told me yeah I’m okay I’m okay Tina. I said you got something in here to eat here my sister. I asked you how long that food had been in there I don’t know let me see it and she told me to come on in. I looked at the food and I told her this food is no good and I threw the food in the trash that particular day and I asked her was Angie going to bring her some more food she said yes but she said she was okay. When I first moved here I started helping people older than I am and she was one of them. I am truly going to miss her love you lady!!!