John Chester Little

John Chester Little of Cary, NC, originally of Winterville, NC, beloved husband, father, and grandfather, passed away peacefully on Sunday, August 24, 2025. A Celebration of Life will be held at Glenaire Retirement Community (6000 Glenview Garden Place, Cary) on September 8th, at 1:00pm in the Spiritual Life Center.

John (J.C. to his siblings) was born in Winterville, NC on June 24, 1941, son of the late Benjamin Franklin and Stella Norman Little. John was educated at Winterville High School (class of 1959), where he played for the basketball and baseball teams. He later attended North Carolina State University to study Electrical Engineering. Growing up on the family farm he learned many life lessons that influenced him for a lifetime. As the youngest of nine children he came to treasure time with his family.

He married the love of his life, Marlene James on April 14, 1963. Upon enlistment in the Army, John was stationed at Fort Benning, GA as a Military Policeman. He was honorably discharged from active duty in 1964 and from the reserve in 1968. He started work with Florida Steel in 1965 and worked with Florida Steel (later Ameristeel, then Gerdau) until he retired in 2001. He was hired as a detailer and quickly promoted to Estimator, then into Sales. By 1972, he was Sales Manager in the Raleigh Division and in 1976, moved to Charlotte to be Sales Manager. In 1985, John moved back to Raleigh as Division Manager and in 1988, he was sent to open a rebar fabricating plant for Florida Steel’s expansion into the Washington D.C. market. In 1994, John moved back to Raleigh to resume his former position as Division Manager where he remained until he retired in 2001. Upon his retirement, the College of Engineering at NC State University recognized his contributions to the University, steel industry, and community by naming him as an honorary Alumnus and worked with Ameristeel to establish the “Ameristeel - John Little Scholarship for Engineering” funded through the NC State Engineering Foundation.

After retirement, John loved to travel. He and Marlene traveled the world alone and with a few favorite travel companions. John was a longtime member of Rotary International and President of the West Raleigh Rotary Club from 2000 - 2001. John loved the NC State Wolfpack in all sports; he was a longtime season ticket holder for baseball, men's and women’s basketball. He especially enjoyed sharing his passion for sport with his children and grandchildren. John was a jack of all trades and enjoyed DIY projects around the house and for his children.

He is survived by his beloved wife Marlene Little, son Rev. Keith Little of Roanoke, VA, Scott Little of Tampa Florida, daughter Dr. Joy Little Snowden (John Snowden) of Raleigh, NC, grandchildren Madeleine Little, Joshua Little, Emma Little, and many beloved nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his parents, five brothers and three sisters.