Norma Jeanne Little

Beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt and friend, Norma Jeanne Klaus Little completed her life’s journey on September 19, 2021 at the age of 98 as a result of the complications from a recent fall.

Norma was born in Chillicothe, Ohio on August 1, 1923. After graduation from Chillicothe High School, she attended business school and was then employed at Lockbourne Army Air Base in Columbus, Ohio. It was there that she met her future husband, Oliver Gwaltney “Jack” Little from a small farming community near the town of Smithfield, Virginia. She and Jack married following World War II and moved to Virginia where they raised their family. She was a very hands-on mom and devoted much of her time to driving the country roads to her children’s many activities. She was a member of the Smithfield Baptist Church. Norma also enjoyed playing bridge and continued to play into her 90’s. When the children were older, she returned to bookkeeping, helping in the family business and later at Gwaltney’s of Smithfield. After retirement she and Jack enjoyed volunteering together at Riverside Hospital in Newport News, VA, and traveling. One of their favorite annual trips was to attend baseball spring training in Florida. In 2006 she moved to Columbus, GA to be near her daughters and lived at Spring Harbor Senior Living. She made many new friends and continued her volunteer work at St. Francis Hospital, and she became a member of St. Luke United Methodist Church. She always loved music and was proud that she was able to see many of her favorite entertainers during her life, including Frank Sinatra, Tommy Dorsey, Lawrence Welk, Elvis Presley, Neil Diamond, Andy Williams, Tony Bennett and Barry Manilow. Her children enjoyed taking her to concerts and to California to see Bob Barker and attend the Price is Right. All who knew her will miss the cards and phone calls on their birthdays or for other occasions.

Norma was predeceased by her husband, Jack in 1995. Also predeceasing her were her parents, Ada and Roy Drury and Elmer Klaus, and great-granddaughter, Mae Turner. Affectionately known as Mother, Mama, Grandma, and Mamaw, she was the heart of her family and will be greatly missed. Surviving are her children, David A. Little, Barbara L. Mason (Don) and Sally L. Turner (Brad), 7 grandchildren- Lindsay Westbrooks (Jeff), Bill Turner (Katherine), Sarah Kendrick (Doug), Jack Turner (Ashley), Lauren Katterheinrich (Josh), Bobsie Turner, and Millie Martin (Matt), 15 great-grandchildren- Jacob Howard, Hunter and Tyler Westbrooks, Will, Mac, and Lilly Turner, Mason and Amelia Kendrick, Weezie, Guy and Betsy Turner, Ada and Brooks Katterheinrich, and Bea and Lewis Martin. Also surviving are her sister, Sally D. Riley, sister-in-law, Betty L. Duncan, and several nieces and nephews. May her memory be a blessing.

Our family thanks the many kind friends, her nursing team at Spring Harbor and other caregivers, doctors, nurses and most recently Columbus Hospice who shared their love and caring over the years. A private family memorial service will be held at a later date and her remains will be interred at Mill Swamp Baptist Church cemetery in Virginia. Striffler-Hamby Mortuary- Columbus is handling arrangements. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.shcolumbus.com for the Little family. In lieu of flowers, those so desiring please consider donating in Norma’s name to Shriners Hospital for Children or The Wounded Warrior Project: lovetotherescue.org, woundedwarriorproject.org.