Sallye Hughes Little

On April 8, 2025, in His infinite wisdom God called our beloved Sallye Hughes Little to her heavenly home. Born in Jonesville, South Carolina on October 3, 1930, she was the 5th of 9 children born to the late Victor and Daisy Hughes. She is preceded in death by her husband of 41 years, James T. Little Sr. Also preceding her in death are 8 siblings: Lucille Victoria, Pauline, Wallace, Ernestine, Johnny Robert, Joe Roosevelt, Willie Herbert & Annie Ruth. The family moved to Greensboro, North Carolina in the 1930’s, where Sallye received her childhood education. She joined New Zion Missionary Baptist Church and was baptized at an early age. During her early teens she developed polio and overcame the adversity of temporary paralysis for several months. During the same period, she lost 2 dear sisters to the dreadful tuberculosis disease. After high school graduation, she completed her nursing education at Kate Bitting Reynolds Memorial Hospital in Winston Salem, North Carolina. It was in Winston Salem that she met the love of her life, her future husband James. After dating and getting married, they moved to Richmond, Virginia in the early 1950’s. She joined Mt. Tabor Baptist Church where she was a member for over 60 years. Sallye loved her church and she served in many capacities, including the Health Ministry, the Bennetta Vaughan ushers, the Senior Ministry, Sunday School and Bible Study. She was also one of the church van drivers during the early 1980’s. She was installed as a parish nurse, and participated in health fairs & other health related programs until her health limited her activities. She also faithfully coordinated the Rock Richmond exercise program at Mt. Tabor. She was a member of the Ladies Ushers Union of Richmond & Vicinity, the United Order of Tents, AARP Chapter 390, and the National Council of Negro Women. She was also a volunteer with the reading center at MCV Hospital. Sallye was licensed as a Registered Nurse and was employed by St. Philips Hospital for 10 years. She then worked as a Public Health Nurse with the Richmond City Health Department/Commonwealth of Virginia, where she retired after 35 years of service. She loved nursing! After retirement, Sallye explored her love of travel. She visited many places in the continental USA and Hawaii. She also visited the Holy Land, South Africa, and the Caribbean Islands, among other places. She has now traveled to a place we’ve never been, a place we’ve only read about, but one day we’ll pack our bags and join her there! Sallye loved to write poetry; when she was a student, one of her poems was published in a literary magazine. Sallye also loved to doodle in her spare time; she said that it kept her mind occupied and helped her remember words. She might draw or just write a phrase, whatever came to mind. She also loved bowling, and was a member of a bowling league for many years. She loved nature and loved walking in the woods in her youth. In later years, she found that walking the trails at J. Sargent Reynolds brought her much peace. She loved her vegetables, and maintained a garden of favorites each summer until she was no longer physically able to tend to it. She loved her family and was affectionately known as “Anna” and “Aunt Anna” by her siblings, nieces and nephews; and “Grandma” and “Grandma Sallye” by her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Remaining to cherish her memories are 3 daughters; Cynthia Parker (Alan), Janet Little, Sandra Jeffries; 1 son James T. Little Jr. (Towanda); 7 grandchildren Christopher Parker (Joy), Kaci Quick (Kendrick), Jermaine Little, Tiffany Worrell (Joshua), Derek Parker, James T. Little III, Daniel Little; 13 great-grandchildren and a host of her favorite nieces, nephews, friends and neighbors.

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Sallye Hughes Little

October 3, 1930 - April 8, 2025