Gary L Little age 59, of Quinlan, Texas, in Hunt County, passed away 10/23/2020 peacefully in his home with family and friends by his side. He fought a long, hard battle with cancer, strokes and dementia. He was a member of The Greater Vision Church in West Tawakoni, Texas.
Gary was born to Joe Little and Margie Boren Little on September 16, 1961 in Greenville, Texas and spent most of his life in Quinlan. He was a 1980 graduate of Quinlan Ford High School, where he enjoyed playing the trombone in the Panther Band, and was active in many other clubs, including the school Choir. He married the love of his life, Penny Golden Little January 4, 1981. He and Penny were blessed beyond measure when they adopted their son Daveyd Garron Little in 1990. He attended East Texas State University in Commerce and later Texas A&M Commerce studying Music and Psychology. Gary felt the call to preach in 1991. He attended Lee College through the Church of God in Cleveland, Tennessee under the mentorship of Bishop Kelvin and Brenda Copeland. He and Penny both graduated together in 1993. He then became pastor of his first church in Inner City Albuquerque, New Mexico. He continued to pastor for 20 years in Texas, Tennessee, Louisiana and New Mexico where he was named New Mexico Church of God’s Pastor of the Year in 1996. Gary also served in the Adults with Special needs field, as the Residential Supervisor for MHMR, Lakes Regional, and Community Access, all of Greenville, TX and ARCA of Albuquerque, New Mexico. He and his wife provided residential/foster care to 267 children in their home in Hunt County and Metarie, Louisiana, Buckner Children’s Home, Dallas, Abilene Girls Home, and Smoky Mountain Children’s Home Sevierville, TN, where he also led a Traveling Children’s Choir. Gary was blessed with many amazing talents, including Floral Design, winning the Texas Master Floral Designer Award. He owned Gary’s Enchanted Blooms in Quinlan, TX, and served as lead designer for many florists in Quinlan and Greenville Texas, Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Rayville, LA. In 2005, Gary fulfilled his lifelong dream and became a Funeral Director, attending the Dallas Institute of Funeral Services and graduating with academic honors in 2006, while he was working full time at Peter’s Funeral home, Greenville under his mentor Bob Mason. He went on to manage Commerce Funeral and Cremation Service, Commerce, TX. He loved the funeral business. He enjoyed serving his community as a member of the Lions Club, Chamber of Commerce for both Quinlan and Commerce, United Way, Drug Free Greenville, Greenville Follies, Special Olympics, Christians Make a Difference, Clothe a Child, Shattered Dreams, Open Door, Student Exchange Program, Leader of H.O.P.E. and L.I.F.T, Grief Group, and served as President of the Hunt County Foster Care Association. In his spare time he loved to entertain! He loved to make people smile and laugh! He was an accomplished vocalist and traveled throughout Texas, OK, LA, AR with the gospel groups, “Changed” and “4 His Sake”. He was also a standup comedian and created the Ms. Culotta Dupree and Company. He also loved motivational speaking.
Gary is survived by his wife Penny. His parents Joe and Margie Little all from Quinlan. Son, Daveyd Gaaron Little, of Plano, Daughters Bettie Harton(Derrick) of Trinity, Barbara Harton Marshall (Austin) of Ft. Worth. Many foster children spread throughout the U.S.,Russia, Indonesia, Brazil and The Republic of Georgia. A very special young lady Bella, who called him PopPop (his favorite name). Sister-in-law Debbie Little of Quinlan, sister Vicki Cain of Quinlan, Aunt Cora Little of Greenville, Aunt and Uncle Glen and Barbara Little of Quinlan, and a very special cousin and lifelong friend Terri Cowart, of Quinlan. God Daughters Kayla Little Melton, of Lone Oak, and Lanie Little of Dallas, and many more cousins, nieces and nephews. Brother and Sister-in-Laws Larry and Rhoda Golden of Forney, Garvon & Cindy Golden of Rapid City, SD, Dwain & Kathy Golden.
Very Dear Treasured friends Robin Andrews of Quinlan, Holly & James Spraberry of Italy, TX, Tanya & Gary Overstreet of Quinlan, Verlin & Debbie Concle of Emporia, KS, and Chuck & Renee Francy of Greenville, TX and many many more friends and family.
He was preceded in death by his sister Theresa Little, Brother Steve Little, nephew Cody Perkins, foster sons Troy and Anthony, Grandparents and many aunts and uncles.
