James Arvell Little Sr

James, affectionately known as Pete and Jimmy, attended DC Public Schools graduating from Spingarn Senior High School. He excelled in football in high school as a quarterback and received a scholarship to Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte, North Carolina, where he continued to play football until he sustained a career ending injury.

Pete worked at The Washington Star and Kelly Press before finding his niche at The Washington Post, where he worked for more than 20 years in the Engraving Department as a lithographer until he retired in 2009. Later, he worked at the Prince George’s Sports and Learning Complex, Landover, MD, as a lifeguard, pool manager, and swimming instructor. Pete was also an entrepreneur who sold seafood and his “special’ sauce.

Pete was a loyal friend who never knew a stranger and greeted everyone with a smile. He loved sports, especially football, and was an avid fan of the Washington Football Team (formerly the Washington Redskins). Pete was extremely competitive and winning in life was always his goal. Growing up, he was always popular among his peers and well revered. He was so cool that even his walk commanded attention! In his leisure time, he enjoyed swimming, scuba diving, skiing, traveling, and eating seafood.

As time went by, he reconnected with and married his teen-age sweet-heart, Constance “Connie” Hill. He and Connie were extremely happy together and shared lots of laughs. They enjoyed watching comedies, listening to jazz, playing games such as checkers, and attending live performances at various venues. Pete was a great provider for his family, and he enjoyed family time. He was a devoted family man who loved his children: James, Jr., Revo, Brian, Kenya, Roberta, and J’Don; stepchildren: Kirston, Kenneth, Karen, Kristie, and Kenya; grandchildren; and siblings.

He was a Christian and a member of Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Landover, MD. He truly enjoyed attending Sunday services and receiving the Lord’s word.

Pete is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Constance Little; six children, James Little, Jr., Revo Little, Brian Smith, Kenya Little, Roberta Griffin, and J’Don Little; five stepchildren, Kirston, Kenneth, Karen, Kristie, and Kenya Hill; 14 grandchildren; nine step-grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; three siblings, Claudia Newman, Kirk Taylor, and Karen Vaughn, and a host of other loving relatives and friends.

Pete lived a full life and left a great legacy. He will be missed by all who knew him.