Alemeta H. Howard-Hendje, 69, of Davenport, Iowa, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, June 13, 2026, at home.

Services are 11:00 a.m. Saturday, June 27, at Pentecostal Church of God Worship Center, 1234 N Ripley St., Davenport, with Bishop Mark Anderson officiating. Visitation is from 10:00 a.m. until time of services. Cremation will take place following services at Trimble Crematory, Moline, under the direction of Trible Funeral Home. Private burial is in Davenport Memorial Park. Memorials may be made to the family.

The former Alemeta Henrietta Downs was born June 25, 1956, the daughter of William and Dorothy (Byars) Downs. A lifelong learner, she graduated from Scott Community College with a degree in public relations before earning both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in journalism from Marycrest College in Davenport.

Alemeta shared many years with Dail Rice, and together they welcomed their daughter, Kenya. She later married Raul Cuevas, and they were blessed with two sons, Xavier and Demetrius.

Throughout her life, Alemeta embraced a variety of careers and experiences. In her teenage years, she was a model. Following college, she worked as a reporter for WOC (Channel 6), putting her journalism education to work in service of her community. She later served as a scout for the Black Golfers’ Association of the Quad Cities, worked as a cab driver in Iowa City, and was a talented nail technician at Crystal Images in Rock Island. For a few years while living in the Maryland/Washington D.C. area, she also worked as an account executive for WUST Gospel radio station and co-owned a nail salon.

A faithful and active member of Pentecostal Church of God Worship Center in Davenport, Alemeta was known for her unwavering advocacy for others, especially single mothers. Her family and friends will forever remember her exceptional cooking and baking—especially her homemade ribs, collard greens, and what many considered the best cornbread ever made.

Alemeta loved animals of all kinds and found joy in things such as watching movies and sewing. Above all, she cherished her family. Nothing made her happier than spending time with her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and the many relatives and friends whose lives she touched.

Alemeta is survived by her three children, Kenya (Burton) Jackson, Xavier Cuevas, and Demetrius Cuevas, all of Davenport; her grandchildren, Jasmine McGee, Lamon Phillips, Tayvaughon Phillips, Tayler Cuevas, Skylar Cuevas, Takora Cuevas, Selena (AR) Shiltz, Demetrius Cuevas, Jr., and Elijah Cuevas; three great-grandchildren, Noah, Makai, and Mya, with one on the way; siblings, William “Antonio” Downs, Ronald Downs, and Alexandria Gordon; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and good friends. She was preceded in death by her grandfather, Henry Byars; sister, Lorraine Williams; brother, Joselin Downs; and niece, Evette Shears.

The family invites friends to share stories and condolences at TrimbleFuneralHomes.com.