Mary Louise Robbins Little

Mary Louise Robbins Little, departed this life, on Christmas Day, 2018 in Charlotte, NC. She had moved from Wadesboro in 2008 to the Southminster Retirement Community. There she continued the productive and full life she had enjoyed in Wadesboro for 63 years. Mary Louise was born March 3, 1922 in Little Rock, Arkansas, the older daughter of Dr. Hugh Elbert Robbins and Violet Taylor Robbins. She and her younger sister Anne grew up in Little Rock, were educated in Little Rock schools and both took wartime jobs at Camp Joseph T. Robinson, an army base in North Little Rock. It was there she met her future husband Lt. Henry W. "Hal" Little, a Wadesboro native who was serving as a member of the Army Quartermaster Corps. They married June 9, 1944 in Little Rock. At wars end in late 1945, they along with their newborn daughter, Dora Anne "Dodie" moved back to Hals hometown of Wadesboro where they joined Hals large extended family as well as Mary Louises sister Anne Robbins Lyon, who had married Risden Allen Lyon, Hals first cousin. Two years later Mary Louise and Hal celebrated the birth of their second child, Henry Wall Little, III on December 29, 1947. Mary Louise was predeceased by her parents, her husband, and her son. Surviving their beloved Marmie are her daughter Dodie Little of Santa Barbara, CA; her daughter-in-law Cynthia Hildreth Little, granddaughter Mary Carlisle "Carly" Little, her husband Heith Ricketts and their son James Henry "Hank" Ricketts, all of Wadesboro; and her granddaughter Holly Elizabeth Little and her husband Doug Zywiol of Alexandria, VA. Our precious Mary Louise was "Aunt Lou" and a second mother to her sister Anne Lyons children: Susan Robbins Lyon; Mary Louise Lyon Gelblum, (Rob) of Carrboro, NC, their sons Reuben Gelblum and Morris Gelblum; Ruth Lyon Fuchs (Marco) of Locarno, Switzerland, their children Annafrancesca Fuchs and Isabella Fuchs; and Risden Allen Lyon, Jr. (Melanie) of Wadesboro. She cherished them and they reciprocated lovingly with faithful care and attention especially during the last years of her life. Two of her Little family sisters-in-law survived Mrs. Little; Mrs. Charles L. Little (Lucy) and Mrs. William B. Little, II (Millie), both of Wadesboro. "Aunt Mary Lou" or sometimes "Aunt Mary Louise" or "Aunt Lou" as she was called by her Little family nephews and nieces also adored and enjoyed them all. Those surviving her are Dr. A. P. "Bo" Kitchin (Joanne); Fran Little Poel (Chuck); Hilda Little Jones (Ray); Jeanne Little Poole (Randy); Betsy Little Roseman (John); Chris Little Drury (Bill); Corinne Little Nicholson (John); Effie Little Richert (Gary); Cyrette Little Conway; Dora Little Forrest (Ted); Charles Little, Jr (Janie); F. Allen Little II. Three nephews predeceased her: Tom M. Little, Jr; William B. "Billy" Little III; and Henry Little "Buck" Kitchin. As Mary Louise desired, no funeral services have been planned at this time. Gifts in her memory would be especially appreciated to: Calvary Episcopal Church, Wadesboro; First United Methodist Church, Wadesboro; or the Anson County Arts Council. "May she rest in peace and rise in glory."