Obituary published on Legacy.com by Burroughs Funeral Home & Cremation Services on Jun. 23, 2024.
Thomas William Little, 83, was called home in the presence of his beloved wife Betty Mar on June 20, 2024, in
Murrells Inlet, South Carolina, where he retired over twenty years ago.
Tom was born to George W. and Dorothy V. Little in
Pleasant Hill, Tennessee on December 3, 1940. Tom was always immensely proud of his parents, brothers, and community. There was love all around even if money was scarce. His family's four-room home did not have indoor plumbing until Tom was in the second grade, but he said they had all they needed. He graduated from high school in
Tavares, Florida, where his family moved for one year before returning to their home state.
He received his Bachelor's degree from Berea College in Kentucky, where he lived and worked in the dairy barn to pay his tuition. He earned his Master's of Science degree from the University of Tennessee, and then went on to complete his Ph.D. in agricultural economics at Virginia Tech. He was an expert on multiple commodities, a talent on full display on every family road trip, where he would point out every kind of crop along the interstate.
He worked for the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Cooperative Extension Service while in graduate school, then moved to the Department's headquarters in
Washington, DC. He later joined the staff of Kentucky Senator Walter D. Huddleston, who served as ranking member of the U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee. Following his service on Capitol Hill, he worked as an advocate for the family farmer and the agricultural industry at the Food Marketing Institute, Dairymen, Inc., and the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives. He was especially proud of his groundbreaking work on various national farm bills, his participation in international sugar negotiations, an award as conservation man of the year, and a Superior Service Award from USDA. In retirement, he switched gears and enjoyed selling real estate in South Carolina.
While he had many professional accomplishments, he saw his crowning achievement in life as his family, and most importantly his marriage to the former Betty Mar Allen, whom he met at Berea College and proposed to on a park bench just two weeks into dating. For over 60 years, they formed an unbreakable bond that set the standard for love, friendship and mutual respect in marriage. They met in a college dancing group that toured extensively in the United States and abroad, and they continued to impress on the dance floor over the decades. They lived in Loudoun County, Virginia for over 30 years before moving to South Carolina. Betty Mar survives and celebrates him.
Tom was the proud father of George and Michael Little, and considered their wives, Bethany Little and Jeanel Little, to be his own daughters. He was a doting grandfather and role model for his grandchildren Everett, Camden, Ruby, and Crew. He was predeceased by his parents, his brothers Frank and Beryl, and Betty Mar's parents, Everett and Ruby, who treated him like a son-and whom he treated as his own father and mother. His brother, Bruce Little, survives him, along with nephews Brian Little, Scott Little, and Charles Milton Allen, and niece Gina Jenkins.
Tom was a talented woodworker, an excellent ping-pong player, and an avid follower of PGA golf tournaments. He enjoyed performing small and large acts of service for his family, his church, and his neighbors and wider community. He did not like dishonesty, the polarization of American politics, or poor restaurant service.
A memorial service for Tom will be held at Belin United Methodist Church in
Murrells Inlet, South Carolina on Sunday, June 30, 2024 at 3:00 pm. A reception to celebrate Tom's life will follow at the church. The service will also be livestreamed on the Belin United Methodist Church YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@BelinMemorialUMC/streams. A video will also be archived for those who wish to see it later.
In lieu of flowers, those who are inclined to make a donation in Tom's honor are asked to consider a contribution to the Medical University of South Carolina's Movement Disorders Program (a Parkinson's Center of Excellence), or to Berea College.
The family also wishes to thank Burroughs Funeral Home for their support and compassion.
To view this obituary online or to offer words of comfort through the online guest book, kindly visit the funeral home website at www.burroughsfh.com
Burroughs Funeral Home & Cremation Services (843-651-1440) is honored to assist the family.
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