Mrs. Gladys Council Little

Gladys Louise Council Little, daughter of the late Arthur and Virginia Dare Hyman Council, was born February 16, 1931 in Martin County, North Carolina. On Wednesday, July 16, 2025, Mother Little peacefully departed this earthly life and fell asleep in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Mother Little attended Post Oak School in Pitt County, NC, with her great friend and sister-in-law, Mother Darlene Little Mizelle. As they grew older, they often reminisced about the "good old days," and the sad days as well; losing her younger sister, Leatha Mae Council Bernice, her husband, William Bernice and infant niece. Mother Little accepted Christ at an early age and began her Christian journey as a faithful member of Belmont Missionary Baptist Church in Robersonville, NC. She had a thirst for God's word, and loved attending and participating in church services, Bible studies, prayer meetings, revivals, and functions that uplifted the name of Jesus. Mother Little was united in marriage to the late William Mayo Little, in November 1947. They initially made their home in Stokes, NC, and began their lives together as sharecroppers before starting their family. She loved her husband and her children and kept them before the Lord. It was commonplace to find her on her knees at home, praying in her secret closets, making supplications, and interceding for them all. She was there for them and lovingly helped raise some of the grandchildren. Her church family was also her heart, and she made it known by her words and actions; acknowledging with a smile and a voice of enthusiasm, "I love my Pastor and my Church Family!" She was always there to do everything she could for her Church Family. Mother Little loved studying the Bible and hid the Word of God in her heart. She walked by faith and possessed many qualities of a virtuous woman and was never ashamed of the Gospel. She was very active on the usher board for many decades and held several positions serving the Lord at Belmont Missionary Baptist Church. Mother Little had a few meaningful sayings that will live on in our hearts. A couple of them are "Thank God for Jesus!" and "I never would have made it without Him. I'm so glad to have Him in my life!" Some of the songs Mother Little lived by were "Lead Me, Guide Me, "Come to Jesus," "Jesus Keep Me Near the Cross," and "Hallelujah Any How!" Over the years, she completed a plethora of at-home Bible correspondence courses and received numerous certificates of completion. She truly loved visiting and worshiping with other church families and was a very active member in the Middle Ground Association. Mother Little was meticulous at everything she did, from balancing the checkbook, washing, drying and folding clothes were some responsibilities she genuinely loved. She enjoyed cooking delicious meals and baking some of the most scrumptious cakes. In her early years, canning, pickling, and sewing were some of her favorite ways of helping to provide for the family. Mother Little leaves behind a legacy that glorifies the Lord Jesus Christ. She leaves to cherish her memories five beloved children: William Lumus Little, Evelyn Louise Little, Joyce Yvonne Little Powell, Patricia Ann Little Ryan (Tim), and Keith Cornell Little. Sadly, Glenn MacArthur "Pappy" Little passed away January 2022. In addition, she leaves her late husband's son, Marshall Wilmer Fleming, her god-children: Grover and Daisy Everett, Daphane Goddard, Evangelist Mary Alice Everett, Deacon Eddie and Evangelist Faye Chance; 12 grandchildren: Derrick Little, Charlene Rochester, Sabrina Alston, Kalsey Little, Thomas Powell (Sylvia), Joseph Powell, Kenny Ryan, Matthew Ryan (Kate), Heather Baker (Caleb), Rachael Taylor (Joshua), Keith Little II, and Reginald Fleming; 24 great grandchildren (1 deceased), a host of sisters and brothers in Christ, sisters and brothers-in-law, aunties, uncles, nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.