Arnold "Botsy" Little Sr.

Arnold "Botsy" Little Sr.

Arnold "Botsy" Little Sr., 86, of Lynchburg, died Monday, Aug. 30, 2010. He was the husband of Charleen Shelton Little for 62 years.

Arnold was born Tuesday, May 6, 1924, in Evington, a son of the late Wyatt Mark Little and Mary Dudley Little. He proudly served our country in the U.S. Army and was a decorated war veteran who served in General Patton's 3rd Army in the Battle of the Bulge during World War II. In the late '40s, he formed a country band in which Charleen Shelton won a contest to perform and was asked by Arnold to become a member of the band, which went on to perform in radio and TV. He was retired from Little Radio and Television repair business, where he was the owner for more than 40 years. He was a member of Boonsboro United Methodist Church for more than 50 years, was a past superintendent of the Sunday school, a member of the American Legion Post 16 and president of the VA Electronics Association. He was very active in his community and willing to lend a helping hand at anytime, day or night.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by two sons, Arnold Little Jr. and wife, Susan, of Richmond, and Bruce Little and wife, Kathy, of Lynchburg; a daughter, Brenda L. Woody, and husband, Randy, of Lynchburg; one brother, Charles Little, and wife, Carol, of Burlington, N.C.; three sisters, Martha Tweedy, of Lynchburg, Susie Curtis, of Trenton, N.C., and Annie Hicks, of Evington; one granddaughter, Misty; six grandsons, Randy Jr., Keith, Chris, Greg, Robert and Braden; five great-granddaughters, Crissy, Ashley, Brianna, Makayla and Katelyn; and three great-grandsons, Blake, Kyle and Michael.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three brothers, Roy H. Little, Park Little and Bill Little, and one sister, Lula Newman.

The family will receive friends from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 2, 2010, at Tharp Funeral Home, Lynchburg. A celebration of Arnold's life will be conducted at 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 3, 2010, at Tharp Funeral Home, with the Rev. Lane S. Spigener and Mr. Carl E. Saunders officiating. Interment will follow in Virginia Memorial Park with military honors provided by American Legion Post 16.

Memorial contributions may be sent to Boonsboro United Methodist Church, 113 Coffee Road, Lynchburg, VA 24503, or the charity of your choice.

Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Lynchburg, is assisting the family, (434) 237-9424. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.tharp

funeralhome.com.