Irene Little

Irene Barbee Little, 84, of Oakboro, passed away August 18, 2021, at Atrium Health in Concord.

She was born on December 17, 1936, one of six children to the late Walter and Ira Mae Barbee.

Irene graduated from Greensboro Women’s College in 1959 with a degree in Biology.  After working as a lab technician, she worked with her husband at Davis-Little Drug store.

She is survived by her beloved husband of 62 years, James Harold Little, and was blessed with two daughters, Monica (Dwayne) Nance and Evette (David) Orcutt.  She was Nana to granddaughter, Katie Nance; three grandsons, David James (Samantha) Orcutt, Dillion Nance, and Daniel Orcutt; great-granddaughter, Iveigh Mae Nance. She is also survived by her sisters, Dena Huneycutt and Nelma Huneycutt; and brother, Evans Barbee.

She was preceded in death by great-grandsons, Jeremiah and Joel; and brothers, Gerald and Lanny Barbee.

Irene accepted Christ as Lord and Savior as a teenager and served four churches faithfully as Choir Director; Oakboro First Baptist, Midland First Baptist, Fairview Baptist in Albemarle, and Kerr Memorial in Concord.  She was a member of Gideons Auxiliary and cherished the opportunity and ministry of distributing New Testaments to nursing students at various colleges.

The family will receive friends from 12:00 pm to 1:45 pm, Saturday, August 21, 2021, at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, Oakboro, with her service to follow at 2:00 pm.

Flowers are appreciated or donations may be made to Gideons International, Stanly South Camp, PO Box 182, Albemarle, NC  28002.

Hartsell Funeral Home of Albemarle is serving the Little family.

Online condolences may be made at www.hartsellfh.com