In Loving Memory of Gertis Little

On June 1, 2023, Gertis Little passed gently away at her home in Auburn, Washington with her daughters Sandra and Yvonne by her side.

Gertis was born Gertis Harrison on April 7, 1931, in Cotton Plant, Arkansas to Leona Barnes and Elvin Harrison. She moved from Cotton Plant to East St. Louis Illinois where she met and married John C. Little in 1947. Gertis and John C. Little had their first child in East St. Louis, before moving to Seattle, where they had five additional children. Gertis’ eldest daughter, Georgetta Lott, would later join the family there. Once her youngest child started school, Gertis pursued her nursing education to obtain her Licensed Practical Nursing degree. She worked for 35 years, retiring from Virginia Mason as Ward Secretary on the floor where she’d been a nurse.

Gertis was a long-time member of Holgate Church of Christ. She loved her church family and her God.Gertis had a remarkable sense of style. She was a career woman, a caring mother to many, a great cookand supported her husband J.C. in his extensive community service endeavors. After his passing, Gertis was integral in lobbying the Seattle Parks Department to name a park in Seattle’s Rainier Valley after him. The John C. Little, Sr. Park stands as a memorial to both.

Gertis is preceded in death by her husband, John C. Little, her daughters, Georgetta Lott and Patricia Brown-Daniel, and brother Charles Harrison. She is survived by her children, John C. Little Jr., Brenda Little, Sandra Little-Berthè, Yvonne Little and Gregory Little, as well as eighty-three (83) grand, great-grand, and great-great-grandchildren. Gertis was much loved and will be much missed.

A Memorial Service honoring Gertis will be held at Holgate St. Church of Christ, 2600 S Holgate St, Seattle, WA 98144. Saturday, June 17th at 11:00am.