Arkesha Lavonda Howard, 52, a resident of Durham, transitioned Thursday, June 11, 2026 at Duke Hock Family Pavilion. She was born in Vance County to Vivian Howard and Earl Echard.

Funeral services will be conducted at 1pm, Wednesday, June 17 at Ilong Missionary Baptist Church (4043 Fairport Rd, Kittrell, NC 27544) by Pastor Rachel Drumgold-Coleman. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Viewing will be from 5pm to 7pm, Tuesday at Wright Funeral Home.

Survivors include one son, Keon Howard, one daughter, Najuwa Smith, parents: Vivian Howard (William Caudle, Sr.) of Wake Forest, NC and Earl Echard (Laura) of Garner, NC; four sisters: Katrina Caudle of Wake Forest, NC, Sharon Patrick of Edenton, NC, Tracey Johnson of Jacksonville, FL and Nichole Jarman of Durham, NC; three brothers: William Caudle, Jr. (Sharon) of Atlanta, GA, Emanuel Howard (Vykky) of Seattle WA and Patrice Echard (Sharon) of Waldorf, MD, her grandmother, Madge Howard of Oxford, NC; four granddaughters and one grandson.