Susan Marie Little, age 82, entered eternal rest, Wednesday July 16, 2025, at Sun Valley Nursing and Rehabilitation Facility in Harlingen. She was born in Muscatine, Iowa, July 24, 1942, to Charles R. and Irene B. Meerdink.
She was a founding member of the LPGA touring and teaching divisions.
Susan is preceded in death by her husband, John (Jack) M. Little III, her sister, Melinda and a nephew, Kevin.
She leaves to treasure her beautiful memory, her only son, John Melson Little IV and daughter-in-law, Valerie D. Little; her Grandchildren, John M. Little V, Allyson B. Little and Ryan C. Edens; Two siblings, Barry B. Meerdink and Mary Ann Anderson, nephews and nieces, Trent, Mara, Laura, Lisa, PJ, Mike and Paul.
Susan grew up in a small town in Muscatine, Iowa. She followed in her father’s footsteps, along with her brother, Barry, as an avid golfer obtaining a State Championship. In her earlier years, she was known to have held two State Diving championships, was an expert swimmer and dedicated lifeguard.
Susan’s State Golf Championship in Iowa earned her a scholarship at Arizona State University where she played on varsity her freshman and sophomore years and continued on to win two consecutive national Women’s NCAA Golf championships. While in Phoenix, Susan met her soul mate, Jack, and they married in December of 1962.
After her sophomore year, Sue joined the LPGA tour for six months until giving birth to her son, John. Shortly after his birth, she worked at the Phoenix Country Club as an assistant teaching professional.
Sue’s passion and love of golf continued as she played in several LPGA tournaments throughout the following years, qualifying her for five US Opens and making the cut in four of them. In 1969, she finished 7th at the US Open in Pensacola, Florida while having a severe case of the flu. Lastly, in 1974, Susan won a million S&H green stamps at the Houston Women’s Open.
Soon after, Sue decided to focus on teaching and earned a Master teaching professional title. The title allowed her to fill positions at Brae-Burn Country Club and the prestigious Houston Country Club where she was the first women’s teaching professional. Sue then went on to win two senior teaching championships and was runner-up in the regular teaching division. Not surprisingly, she was awarded a commemorative place at LPGA Women’s Hall of Fame for Teaching.
Later in life, Susan continued to teach golf off and on at Harlingen Country Club, including volunteering for the South Texas Junior Golf Classic.
Sue not only had a full life playing and teaching the game she loved, she spent many years bay fishing in Port Mansfield, TX with her husband and grandson, Jack.
Aside from Susan’s many accomplishments, she loved spending time with family and friends, and will forever be remembered as a very special mother, grandmother, sister, and aunt
Please join us for a casual Celebration of Life at the Harlingen Country Club, Palm room from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm on Saturday July 19, 2025.
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