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"I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:"

2Timothy 4:7

It is with deep sorrow and much love that we mourn the passing of Arletha U. Roberts of Norfolk, VA, on July 25, 2025, at the age of 98.

Arletha U. Roberts (affectionately known as Aunt Letha) was born May 22, 1927, in Wayne County, North Carolina, to the late Nester Uzzell and Annie Bell Lewis. After the passing of her mother, she was raised by her father and stepmother, Mamie Uzzell.

Arletha was educated in the Wayne County School System. At the age of 18, Arletha decided to strike out on her own and eventually moved to Norfolk, where she met and married the late Lester W. Roberts. She worked as a nanny, home care worker, and cook. In her leisure time, she enjoyed attending many outings with the Salvation Army. Arletha and a group of ladies (fondly known as the Golden Girls) would go on trips where she boarded planes, trains, and ships.

Mother Roberts was a long-time member of the Garden of Prayer #3 COGIC. She served under the late Elder Cornelius Purkett and Elder William Dan White; Jr. Mother Roberts was one of the original five members of the Garden of Prayer #3. She served many years as the only usher standing at her post every Sunday. During that time, she also served as the pastor's hospitality coordinator and a member of the Pastor's Aid Committee. Being faithful to God and the ministry, every Sunday, for years after service, you could find her in the church kitchen working in her ministry known as T & R Kitchen. She sold cooked items, popcorn, candy, and sodas. She was known for her delicious sweet potato jacks. She gave all the proceeds to the church. She was Mother on the Mother's Board and a member of the Golden Heritage. She nurtured the infants and toddlers in the GOP#3 Children's Church through reading and singing.

Mother Arletha U. Roberts had a loud voice that she did not mind using to praise the Lord. Many Sundays, she would break out in a dance before the Lord and the congregation. Her favorite song was "Throw Out the Lifeline". One of her favorite scriptures was Jeremiah 29:11.

Mother Roberts was the oldest of ten (10) children. She was predeceased in death by seven siblings: Darlene Goode, Geneiva Uzzell, Nester Uzzell Jr., Betty Jean Uzzell, Maida Brown, Napoleon Uzzell, and Darius Uzzell.

She leaves to cherish her memory, her daughter, Carrie Ruffin and son Lester Brooks (Risha), two sisters, Diane Uzzell (Goldsboro, NC) and Carolyn Faye Uzzell (New York), a loving and loyal niece, Della Davidson Norman and her namesake, Aletha Anne Moody (Ray), who we call her twin, Essie Mae Uzzell whom she loved like a daughter and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and church family, who she loved dearly.

One of the last few things she told us was that God said He was going to take care of her and that she would live to see her 98th birthday, which was May 22nd.

Yes, old soldier, you can now take your rest from labor and live life eternally.