Alvenis (Craighead) Riddick

Deaconess Alvenis (Craighead) Riddick, 79, of Middletown, Connecticut, passed peacefully at her home on December 29, 2025. Born on December 19, 1946, in Martinsville, Virginia, she was the daughter of the late Charles R. Craighead and Annie Mae (Morris) Craighead.

Alvenis was a proud graduate of Virginia State University, where her passion and discipline led to her garnering a major in Chemistry and a minor in Music.

Her professional career journey spanned more than two decades as an analytical chemist in the Materials Engineering and Research Laboratories Department at Pratt & Whitney in East Hartford, Connecticut. There, her meticulous attention to detail, contributions, and leadership earned the respect of her colleagues in her field.

As a dedicated and long-standing member of the Cross Street AME Zion Church, she served on the Deaconess Board for many years. While being heavily involved in the Christian education ministries, she enlightened minds and uplifted spirits within the congregation. She also was a member and director of the Senior Choir.

Alvenis was a loving wife, supportive mother, and a source of valuable wisdom. She enjoyed time spent with loved ones, especially during the holidays, when family dinners, playing card games, and happiness filled her home. Furthermore, she also found joy in reading, sewing, and word puzzles, always finding pleasure in learning to keep her mind sharp.

In loving memory, she is survived by her husband, James E. Riddick; her son, Jason Riddick; her daughter, Sonja Riddick; family, friends, and members of the church.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, January 16th at 11:00 am at Cross Street AME Zion Church, 440 West Street, Middletown.  A burial will follow in the State Veteran Cemetery. Family and friends may call on Friday morning before the service from 10:00 to 11:00 am at the church.  To share memories or send condolences to the family, please visit www.doolittlefuneralservice.com.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Alvenis (Craighead) Riddick, please visit our floral store.