Maurice Eugene Little

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Service Schedule
Graveside at Bassett Cemetery
Bassett Cemetery
Hwy 61 South
Bassett, AR  72313
Saturday, May 23, 2015
11:30 AM
Cemetery
Bassett Cemetery
Hwy 61 South
Bassett, AR  72313
Memorial Contributions
Bassett Cemetery Care
Bassett Cemetery
P O Box 163
Wilson, AR  72395
Maurice Eugene Little

of Fort Worth, TX

January 4, 1941 - May 3, 2015

Maurice Eugene Little, 74, passed away Sunday evening, May 3, 2015, at his home surrounded by his family and close friends following a courageous battle with cancer. In lieu of flowers, please donate to a favorite charity in Gene's name or a donation to the Bassett Cemetery for perpetual care in Gene's name would be nice: Bassett Cemetery, Box 163, Wilson, Ark. 72395. Gene was born Jan. 4, 1941, in Memphis, Tenn., to the late Maurice and Francis Taylor Little. He earned a bachelor's of science in education followed by a master's degree in education (MED) from the University of Arkansas. Gene was a dedicated father to five sons, a loving husband to his devoted wife, Suellen "Jean" Little, whom he married June 18, 1983. He was a well-respected business owner. Gene never met a stranger. He had the ability to not only put anyone in his presence at ease, but also make them feel as if they had a lifelong friend in a man they may have only met moments before. Gene spent his summers in the Ozarks of Arkansas growing up and continued that same tradition with his own family. He loved being at their lake house on Greer's Ferry Lake. He would spend hours on the boat showing guests around the lake, affectionately pointing out landmarks and retelling the stories of a lifetime. His memory will live on through the reciting of his stories, his shared love for the lake and his presence in the hearts and minds of all of those whom he touched through his time on earth. After earning his child care license in 1968, Gene moved to Dallas-Fort Worth in 1972 as a co-founder of "Little Tyke" Creative Child Care. Also in 1972, Gene joined Texas Licensed Child Care Association, where he served two terms as president and is considered one of the founding fathers of the organization. He represented Fort Worth on the Texas state board in 1973 and remained actively involved from there forward. Among his many honors and outreach accreditations, while representing Texas, he was the first to serve three terms as president of the National Child Care Association. He was also chairman of the accreditation committee for the NCCA board and served on numerous committees for the Texas D.P.R.S., including the childcare advisory committee. Gene deeply cared for his staff and the families served over the years, which was reflected in an infectious sense of love that never ended, even after retiring in September 2007. Survivors: Loving wife, Suellen "Jean" Little; sons, Allen Little and wife, Niki, Alex Little and wife, Jennifer, Kurt Davis, Keith Davis and wife, Karen, and Eric Davis; grandchildren, Christy Blaylock, Cheyenne Davis, Adam Davis, Emma Davis, Kate Davis, Jack Davis, Taylor Little, Elise Little and Connor Little; great-grandchildren, Kade Jones, Kole Blaylock and Bella Blaylock; and brother, Taylor Little and wife, Carolyn. Gene was preceded in death by his parents, Maurice and Francis Taylor Little; and sister, Debra Lynn Little.

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1 Condolence(s)
Denise Eatmon Storey
Manila, AR
Liked
Monday, May 18, 2015

My deepest consolences on your loss. Its been a long time since I have saw Gene but I always thought highly of the entire Little family. Again, my prayers are with you at this time.