Frances Smith Little

Frances Smith Little, 85, of Northport, Alabama (previously of Jackson, Alabama), passed to heaven Monday, July 21, 2025 at her home. Frances was born July 14, 1940, in Gadsden, Alabama, and began following Christ Jesus at the age of fourteen. She was preceded in death by her parents, Allen Herschel Smith and Shannon Frances Smith; her brother, Joseph Allen Smith (Nancy), and her grandson, Ryan Ellis.

A loving and faithful wife, mother, and grandmother, she is survived by her husband of 63 years, Harvey Granade Little of Northport, Alabama (previously of Jackson, Alabama); son, Scott Little (Neece) of Madison, Mississippi; daughter Shannon Ellis (Jared) of Tuscaloosa. Frances was the proud grandmother of five grandchildren: Sarah Tejada (Javy), Luke Little, Ryan Ellis, Jordan Little, and Benjamin Ellis.

She was a graduate of Gadsden High School and the University of Alabama, where she earned her undergraduate degree in Library Science. Her career passion was teaching and serving students as a librarian and a classroom teacher. Even upon formal retirement she continued to tutor students in her home on a regular basis. She possessed a deep love for her Savior and for decades served First Baptist Church, Jackson as an Adult Choir member, Children's Choir Director, and loved caring for friends alongside her husband in Sunday school classes.

A celebration of her life will be held Saturday, July 26, 2025 at First Baptist Church, Jackson with Reverend Keith Pugh, Reverend Phillip McDuffie and Reverend Joe Bedwell officiating, and a eulogy provided by Scott Little. Visitation will begin at 9:30 am, followed by an 11:00 am Celebration of Life, with a graveside remembrance to immediately follow at Trinity Memorial Gardens, Jackson.

Active Pallbearers will be Steve Hall, Joseph Smith, Mark Bridgers, Sid Crosby, Norman Stevens, Gay Dewitt, Earl Flowers, Billy Callahan, Arlen York, Troy Spence and Bill Colvin. Honorary pallbearers will be the men of the Adult IV Sunday School Class, which has been affectionately known as the "Spence/Little Sunday School class", at First Baptist Church, Jackson. Memorials may be made to New Hope Church, Roatan, Honduras, where Sarah and Javy Tejada work as missionaries by visiting https://app.aplos.com/aws/give/LegacyMissionInternational/3040_NewHope , or to First Baptist Church, 214 College Ave, Jackson, AL 36545.