Marcella Ann West Little

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Marcella Ann West Little who departed this world on May 4, 2025. Born on August 28, 1931, in Clark County, Arkansas, to David G. and Sarah. M. Hunneycutt West, Marcella lived a life full of love, dedication, and unwavering strength.

A Life Dedicated to Family, Friends and Society

Marcella was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother who always put family first. She was preceded in death by her parents, six brothers, three sisters and daughter, Linda. She is survived by her husband, Maurice Dale Little, aged 97. Marcella and Dale were married in Indianapolis, Indiana in 1955. They moved to New Orleans, Louisiana in 1956 where they remained until 2005 when Hurricane Katrina forced them to move to Birmingham, Alabama. They had three children: Julie, spouse James Brooks Graham III of New Orleans, Louisiana; Randall of Laval, Quebec; and Linda, spouse Samuel Kindervater of Birmingham, Alabama. Grandchildren are Hannah Merideth Kindervater, Eva Maia Novac-Little, and Clarisse Lilyrose Novac-Little. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Known for her generosity and kind spirit, Marcella touched the lives of everyone she met, leaving behind a legacy of love and compassion.

Over the years, Marcella achieved numerous milestones, contributing significantly to her field and inspiring those around her. She graduated from Sparkman High School in 1949 and received a Bachelor of Arts from Henderson State University in 1952. After teaching in Eudora, Arkansas, she attended Gallaudet University in Washington, DC, where she received a Master of Science in Education in 1954. She taught at the Indiana State School for the Deaf in Indianapolis, Indiana, the Bright School for the Deaf in New Orleans, Louisiana, and the Hilda Knoff School for the Deaf in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana. She received an Associate of Arts in Interpreting from Delgado Community College in the early 1980s and interpreted there for deaf students. She received a Comprehensive Skills Certificate from the Registry of Interpreters for the deaf and was a freelance interpreter in the New Orleans area. Her passion for her work was evident in everything she did, and she will be remembered as a true professional who excelled in every endeavor, especially deaf communication. Marcella was an active participant in various initiatives and volunteered her time to help those in need. She was a friend of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Birmingham and Community Church Unitarian Universalist in New Orleans, Louisiana. She enjoyed time with nature.