Aletheia Leinani Everington

She was known by many as “Grandma Al.” She was the daughter of Charles and Maria Lai Hook and the loving wife of Ernest R. Everington, Sr., “Ernie,” who passed away in 1995.

Aletheia is survived by sons, Richard, Ernest, Jr., Charles, James, William and daughter Deborah.

She is also survived by fifteen grandchildren, thirty-four great grandchildren and four great-great grandchildren. Aletheia’s large extended family lives on the East coast, the Gulf coast, the West coast, Hawaii and Taiwan.

Born in Kaneohe, Hawaii on April 18, 1930, she was raised in a Chinese-Hawaiian family in Honolulu with deep Native Hawaiian roots in the island as well as ancestors that immigrated from China during the Qing Dynasty.

As a teenager during the attack on Pearl Harbor she witnessed Japanese planes being chased by American fighters over her neighborhood. She would later recall incidents from that traumatic period in intricate detail. Aletheia was a great storyteller often sharing vivid memories of her formative years in Hawaii and family lore. As a child she assisted her grandmother Lai Lum Shee, the high priestess at the original Chinese Temple in Honolulu, Hawaii.

After graduating from Farrington HS she married “Ernie” a career US Navy Chief Petty Officer from Bridgeton, NC. He was also a stevedore and their lead spokesman for twenty years in Hawaii. Aletheia was a devoted daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother to her vast extended family.

She loved having big family gatherings over to her place in Kaneohe, Hawaii and later in Newport, North Carolina for Thanksgiving and Christmas. She was a true friend and kind spirit that we will all miss. Aloha, Grandma Al.

The family will receive friends on Thursday, November 10, 2022 from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm at Cotten Funeral Home. Funeral service will follow in the chapel with Chaplain Rick Brooks officiating. She will be laid to rest following the service at Greenleaf Memorial Park Cemetery.

Condolences can be sent to: 937 Mill Creek Rd, Newport, NC 28570. Cotten Funeral Home is honored to serve the family and friends of Aletheia Everington.