Mrs. Elizabeth "Bessie" Spry Little (1867-1954)
(Mrs. James Henry Little)
MRS. BESSIE LITTLE'S BIRTHDAY IS CELEBRATED
Mr. and Mrs. Seth Little entertained Sunday in honor of his mother, Mrs. Bessie Little, whose birthday falls on February 13th. Present for the turkey dinner were: Mr. and Mrs. Sol Spry, Mr. and Mrs. Ernie Spry, Mr. and Mrs. Emil Larson, Mr. and Mrs. John Adams, of Columbia City, Mr. and Mrs. James E. Little and sons; Mrs. Eleanor Little and daughters; Mr. and Mrs. Verle Little and Linda Sue; Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Childress and the Misses Josephine and Bertha Wilson of North Chicago, Ill.During the afternoon and evening hours open house was held with eighty-five friends and relatives signing the guest book. Refreshments were served from a beautifully appointed tea table which was centered with a vase of sweet peas. Granddaughters of the honor guest, Lois, Jean, Marjorie and Betty Little poured. Mrs. Little received many lovely gifts including an orchid from her grandchildren and a floor lamp from her children.
This unidentified newspaper clipping was found in a scrapbook owned by Town Historian Richard Schmal:
Mrs. Bessie Little, Prominent Resident, Dies on 87th Birthday
Elizabeth Spry Little, eldest child of John and Catherine White Spry, was born February 13, 1867, in Estill County, Kentucky, and died on her 87th birthday in the Gary Methodist hospital.The family moved to Indiana when she was ten. She was educated in the schools of the community and at Terre Haute Normal. She taught for seven years in the West Creek township schools.
She was married to James Henry Little, June 26, 1895, in the parlor of her parent's home, which was just south of the Lake Prairie Presbyterian church.
Mr. and Mrs. Little established their home in West Creek Township, on the marsh. Four children were born to the union.
Mrs. Little was preceded in death by her husband, January 27, 1937, and by her eldest son Joseph in November 1937, two brothers, William and Clarence Spry, and two sisters, (Mollie) Mrs. Emil Larson, and Mrs. Sadie Cadwell, all of Lowell.
Surviving are two sons, Seth and James of Lowell, a daughter, Mrs. John Adams (Hester), of Columbia City, and two brothers, Solomon and Ernie of Lowell. There are ten grandchildren and ten great grandchildren.
Mrs. Little was a member of the Lake Prairie Presbyterian church and circle, the Oakland Women's club, the Pine Grove school club, and was the organizing regent of the Obadiah Taylor chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution chartered in 1928. In these organizations she retained an active interest.
Memorial services were held at the Sheets Funeral home Monday, February 15, at 2 p.m. Pall bearers were her grandsons, Verle, Gerald, James, and John Little, Glen Miller, Walter Hillsman of Indianapolis, and Lee Bueschler of Hamilton, Ohio.
She was laid to rest in the Lake Prairie cemetery beside her husband.
Services were conducted by the Rev. Norman Herbert, pastor of the Lake Prairie Presbyterian church.
The following unidentified newspaper article was found in a scrapbook owned by Town Historian Richard Schmal:
MEMORIAL SERVICE HONORS ELIZABETH LITTLE, FOUNDER OF OBADISH CHAPTER, DAR
A Memorial service in memory of Mrs. Elizabeth Little was held late Sunday afternoon, May 30th in the Lake Prairie Cemetery, when the Obadiah Taylor Chapter Daughters of the America Revolution dedicated a marker, at her grave, honoring her as Organizing Regent of the chapter. The D.A.R. service for such an occasion was read by the Regent Chaplin and members of the chapter, and was closed with prayer by Rev. Norman Herbert.Most of the family members were gathered for the service, some coming from quite a distance. Friends also gathered to show their respect.
The following newspaper article, hand-identified as being from the June 11, 1954, Star was found in a scrapbook owned by Town Historian Richard Schmal:
LOWELL DAR CHAPTER ERECTS MARKER FOR MRS. JAMES LITTLE
Lifelong regard for Elizabeth Spry Little, widow of James Little, long prominent in West Creek affairs, was symbolized in the erection of a marker at her gravesite in Lake Prairie cemetery Sunday. The special maker, placed by Obadiah Taylor chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, indicates her position as organizing regent of the Lowell group. Its placing was a part of the society's memorial service, held at 6 o'clock that evening by Mrs. Earl Bailey, chapter regent, and Mrs. Charles Keuper, chaplain. Mrs. Otto Dahl spoke in personal tribute to Mrs. Little, who was a teacher before her homemaking years, and Rev. Norman Herbert, pastor of Lake Prairie church, made the prayer. Mrs. Little's passing came last February 13.Her children were at the service: Mr. and Mrs. Seth Little, Mr. and Mrs. James E. Little of West Creek, Mrs. Joseph Little of Lowell, Mr. and Mrs. John Adams pf Columbia City. Grandchildren came, some from a long distance, with their families for the rite of remembrance.
Go to Elizabeth "Bessie" Spry Little, "Pioneer History Index," for further information.
Return to Lowell Biographies.