John Thomas Little

April 9, 1935 – May 18, 2012

John was born in Birmingham, Ala., attended Phillips High School and Auburn University, majoring in Accounting. He spent his early years with P.P.A. firms, Peat, Marwick, Mitchell and L. Paul Kassouf & Co. He then served as controller for V.J. Elmore Corp in Birmingham before he opened his own furniture store Fashion Dinettes. He was in business for more than 35 years, operating stores in the eastern section of town, Hoover and Destin, Fla. John loved people, and his business allowed him an outlet.

He became an active member of Dawson Memorial Baptist Church in 1967 and served as a Sunday School teacher for children and has been an usher for 40 years. It was also then he began his coaching career at Dawson in boys’ R.A. Basketball. They won many championships and went to be State Champions in 1974. Since he was the father of two girls, he also began to coach girls’ basketball for many years where he made many lasting friends. His favorite teams to coach were girls’ softball. He began by coaching his own daughters, and continued to coach for 10 years after his own children had graduated from high school. Through the years, he touched the lives of hundreds of girls and boys. He was fondly known as “Coach,” and until his death, it remained a term of endearment for him.

Loving sports like he did, it came as no surprise he was an avid Auburn football fan. He as his wife attended home and away games for all of his adult life, and he contributed yearly to Auburn’s scholarship program. He was a soft-spoken man, but he could always manage a rousing “War Eagle.”

John’s other love that appealed to his quiet, yet competitive nature, was playing bridge. He played actively for years, but since his retirement he could be found four times a week at a bridge table. He was the organizer of a bridge club that played at the Vestavia Civic Center, and he thoroughly enjoyed being with other senior adults and giving his mind a challenge.

John was married to Janet Bishop Little for 50 years. They are the proud parents of two daughters, Melanie Little Horta (Efrain) and Juleigh Little Green (Corey). They have six grandchildren, Lucas Alexander Horta, Alexandria Elise Horta, Joshua Caleb Horta, Luisa Carole Horta, Caroline Elizabeth Green and Margaret Ann Green. He was predeceased by his daughter Kellie Allison Little and his parents John and Rubye Little of Birmingham. He has cousins in Charlotte N.C., Dr. Donald Little, Suzanne and James Robards, Garrett and Addie, and Donnie and Sylvie Little, Stephan and Eric, from Raleigh, N.C. Other cousins include Charles and Jane Little and Byron and Anna Rae Little form the Birmingham area. There are a host of other family and friends.

John died of prostate cancer and fighting a courageous battle for more than nine years. A celebration of his life will be held at Dawson Memorial Baptist Church in Homewood on May 22, 2012, at 6:00 p.m. in the sanctuary.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests you make contributions to the Dawson Music Ministry, the Arendall Children’s Building at Dawson, the American Cancer Society of a charity of your choice. Visitation with the family will be from 4:30 – 5:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall at Dawson Memorial Baptist Church.