Mary Elizabeth (Mobley) Little, Of Gregory, Michigan May 22, 1947 - March 18, 2025
Mary passed away peacefully at home with family by her side. She passed from a long battle with COPD and lung cancer.
Mary was born and grew up in Jesup, Georgia. Her parents, Ezra and Ethel, were both sick so she was raised by her grandparents, James and Lizzie.
Mary met her husband of 54 years, Sam, while he was in the Army stationed in Georgia. They married on March 11,1967, a month or so after meeting each other, then moved to New York. Soon to come were three children, Samuel Arthur Jr. (1969), Michelle Ann (1971), and Theresa Lynn (1975). Mary was a stay at home mom to her three beautiful children.
In 1985, Sam Sr. got transferred to Michigan for work at Ford Motor Co. The whole family graduated from Whitmore Lake High School. Mary graduated with her daughter, Theresa, in 1994, and Sam Sr. graduated in 1989 with Sam Jr. and Michelle. During their time in Whitmore Lake, Mary (and family) made many friends that turned into family. Mary worked at the Whitmore Lake Public School, anywhere from preschool aide, bus aide, janitor and lunch lady. There are probably still some kids that owe her a dollar.
When Sam Sr. retired from Ford Motor Co., Sam Sr., Mary, and daughter, Theresa, moved to Lake Greenwood, SC for about 15 years. Then Mary and Sam traveled in their camper, north and south to be with their children; Sam Jr. in Memphis, TN, Michelle in Gregory, MI, and Theresa in Greenville, SC. Of course, the south for winter and the north for summer. Mary and Sam loved to travel to New York and Georgia to visit family.
Mary loved to garden, read books (sometimes two or three books at a time), do puzzles, cross stitch and cook. She always loved cooking with her kids. She loved being with her grandchildren... Francesca (Sam Jr.), Taylor, Kaidin & Remington (Michelle), and Zari (Theresa); and great-grandchildren...Sophia and Zander (Francesca).
Mary is preceded in death by her children, Samuel Arthur Jr. in 2017, Theresa Lynn in 2020, and her husband Samuel Sr. in 2021.
Left to cherish her memory are her daughter, Michelle and husband Jim, and their children, Taylor, Kaidin, and Remington; son-in-law, Frederick and daughter Zari; and granddaughter, Francesca; also many friends and family from near and far.
A private service will be held at a later date. Arrangements by Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home, Chelsea.
