In celebration, we announce that Pastor Dr. Richard Henry Little (Dick), 87, husband, father, pastor, teacher, evangelist, author, but most importantly life-long servant of the Lord Jesus Christ, went to be with his beloved Savior on Thursday evening March 21, 2019 in Winston-Salem, NC after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease.
He is survived by his wife, Notre Shirilee; son Richard Bryant Little and wife Tess; two grandchildren, Vanessa Best, Joshua Jones and wife Angela; three great-grandchildren, Campbell Best, McKenzie Jones and Hollee Jones; cousin Katharine Parrish (who was like a sister).
His daughter Kathryn Lynne Jones preceded him in death.
Dick was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and grew up in Anniston, Ala., the son of Henry Wilson Little and Eleanor Augusta Little. He graduated from Davidson College, Davidson, NC, and received his master’s of divinity degree from Union Theological Seminary in Richmond, Va. and Dr. of ministry from Luther Rice Seminary in Jacksonville, Fla.
Dick began his ministry as chaplain of the Woodrow Wilson Rehabilitation Center and was associate pastor of the Tinkling Springs Presbyterian Church in Fishersville, Va. where he met his wife of 60 years.
For seven years he was pastor of the Parkview Presbyterian Church in Newport News, VA (PCUSA). From 1965 to 1979 he was engaged in full-time preaching evangelism under the auspices of the Presbyterian Evangelistic Fellowship.
In 1980 he became pastor of Reynolda Presbyterian Church in Winston-Salem, leading them into the Evangelical Presbyterian Church in 1987.
In 1995 he retired from Reynolda Church. During his ministry, Dick preached and taught in churches all over the United States, South America, Puerto Rico, Israel, Italy, India, Ukraine and other countries. He was the founder of the Hawkridge Home for the elderly in Neyyattinkara, India.
He served as the coordinating director for the First and Second World Conferences of the Holy Spirit in Jerusalem, Israel in the 70s where over 3000 believers worshiped and praised the Lord in the Binyenei HaUma convention center with Charismatic leaders of that day. He served on the boards of the Evangelistic Mission to Puerto Rico, the Presbyterian and Reformed Renewal Ministries International and the Presbyterian Charismatic Communion.
He was one of the founding pastors and on the board of Associates in Christian Counseling in Winston-Salem, NC. He was the author of “Kiss Your Church,” written for pastors on how to minister to their people and church. One of his greatest blessings was to be elected moderator of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church in 1997.
From 1995-2012 he remained active serving churches in the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, one of which was the Kempsville Presbyterian Church in Va. Beach, Va. where he had a very fruitful ministry. Being a church member all of his life but not coming to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ as his Savior until college, he devoted his life to his greatest passion, declaring the saving message of Jesus Christ.
As one person said, “He was a come to Jesus preacher.” “Someday you will read in the paper that I am dead. Don’t you believe a word of it. At that moment I shall be more alive than I am now. That which is born of the flesh may die. That which is born of the Spirit will live forever.” Dwight L. Moody (1837-1899).
His celebration of life service will be held on Saturday, March 30 at 1:30 p.m. at Reynolda Presbyterian Church, 2200 Reynolda Rd. in Winston-Salem, NC. Following a graveside service for the family at Oak Lawn Memorial Gardens, family visitation will follow after the Reynolda church service.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Riveroaks Community Church World Missions, Clemmons, NC and Pruitt Hospice, North Wilkesboro, NC.
The family would like to express their deep appreciation to those who lovingly cared for him during his struggle with Alzheimer’s disease: Dr. Edward Shaw Memory Counseling Program, Wake Forest Baptist Hospital, Mrs. Beverly Riddle (Caregiver), Brighton Gardens Reminiscence Care Staff, Pruitt Hospice, North Wilkesboro, NC; and our church families Riveroaks Community Church, Reynolda EPC.
Online condolences may be made through www.salemfh.com.