EDMUND S.A. LITTLE JR.
Sept. 5, 1951-Aug. 30, 2013
Edmund Strudwick Ashe Little Jr. died Aug. 30, 2013, at O'Berry Center in Goldsboro, N.C., in the comfort of the staff and his brothers.
Edmund was born Sept. 5, 1951, in Raleigh, N.C., to Edmund Strudwick Ashe Little and Sara Rembert Wooten Little.
The early years of his life were spent with his family in Goldsboro. Due to illness, he spent the remainder of his life in the loving care of his O'Berry Center family in Goldsboro.
Edmund was predeceased in death by his grandparents, William Bennett Little, Corneille Marshall Harris Little, Louis Ernest Wooten and Edith Rembert Williamson Wooten; his mother and father; his paternal uncle, William Bennett Little Jr.; maternal uncles, Louis Ernest Wooten Jr. and Robert Ernest Wooten; and his maternal aunt, Edith Wooten Padgette and her husband, uncle Curtis Davenport Padgette.
Edmund is survived by his aunts, Marriott Procter Little and Lytle Bachelor Wooten of Raleigh and Elizabeth Brown Wooten of Burlington; sister, Sarah Wooten Little Domby (Sam) of Beaufort, S.C.; brothers, Louis Wooten Little (Kathleen) of Kennesaw, Ga., and William Bennett Ledbetter Little, Esq. (Cathryn) of Raleigh, N.C.; nephews, Louis Wooten Little Jr. (Brooke), William Edmund Ashe Little and Walker Alexander Little; niece, Cathryn Mallory Alexandra Little; and numerous cousins, many of whom have so lovingly remembered him these last few weeks.
Edmund is also survived by his devoted caretakers at O'Berry Center to whom the family is especially grateful for the care they provided to Edmund for more than 50 years.
The staff at O'Berry encouraged Edmund's efforts in the daily activities in which Ed could participate. The sheltered workshop gave him meaningful work for many years.
His daily caretakers nurtured Edmund's love of Christmas music and hymns, singing his favorites and coaxing a line or two from him every now and then. They rewarded his discriminating palate with M&Ms and anything chocolate.
Early on, Edmund's handicaps prompted his parents, Ed and Sara Little, along with several other families, to create the Wayne County Chapter of the North Carolina Association of Retarded Citizens. Its good work benefited many children and adults who struggled with mental handicaps, and continues to this day under the aegis of several agencies.
Even now, Edmund's handicaps continue to remind us to face life one day at a time: To glory in God's abundant blessings and tackle life's challenges with the help of His ever-saving grace.
Funeral services will be held at St. Stephens Episcopal Church in Goldsboro at 10:30 a.m., Friday, Sept. 20, with a reception following at the church. Burial will be private.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to O'Berry Center Foundation, Operation Santa, O'Berry Center, Attn: Volunteer Services, 400 Old Smithfield Road, Goldsboro, N.C., 27530.
"Suffer the little children to come unto me and forbid them not; for of such is the kingdom of Heaven." Matthew 19:14.
Edmund Strudwick Ashe Little was born a child of God and died a child of God.
(Pd)
Published in Obituaries on September 18, 2013 1:49 PM