Thyra Little

Thyra Shackleford Little passed away in her home in Morganton, NC on November 13, 2025. Thyra was a resident of Wilson, NC for all of her adult life until a few years ago. A longtime member of First Baptist Church of Wilson, in recent years she was a faithful attendee at Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church in Morganton.

Thyra grew up in Saratoga, NC. With perfect attendance during her 12 years of school, she was the Most Valuable Athlete, Wilson County 4-H Health Queen, and met the love of her life, Mickey Little. After high school, she attended Atlantic Christian College. She then began what she considered her most important roles, wife and mother. Together, she and Mickey reared four daughters, creating a beautiful life. Her favorite times were spent at their river house outside Oriental with her family. She instilled in her daughters compassion, kindness, serving others and the importance of family.

Thyra was predeceased by her husband, James D "Mickey" Little and their daughter, Pat, her parents, Paul and Delphia Shackleford, and brothers, Hilton, Milton and Jennings. 

She is survived by her daughters, Debra L Bunn (Wilton) of Raleigh, Beverly L Edwards (Stephen) of Wendell, and Paula J Little of Morganton. She was a devoted TT to Courtney Brocious (Jodi), Wilton Bunn III (Teresa), James Bunn, Christopher Edwards (Jasmeen), and Nicholas Edwards (Camille). Her grandchildren multiplied her joy with the arrivals of Wilton and Ella Bunn, Holden and Hawk Brocious, and Tobias, Asher, and Josiah Edwards. Thyra is also survived by her sister-in-law, Barbara Little Douglas of Wilson and 14 nieces and nephews. For Thyra, family was life's greatest love, purpose, and responsibility. Her daughters were blessed to be "the Little girls".

A Celebration of Life will be held at Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church in Morganton on November 19th at 5:15. A memorial service will be held at First Baptist of Wilson on November 21, at 11:00. Visitation will be from 10:00 until 10:40 in the sanctuary.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in her memory to First Baptist Church, Wilson, PO Box 1467, Wilson, NC 27894 or Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church of Morganton's Deaf Ministry.