“I always keep my promises no matter how stupid they are,” Ray would say in jest but total honesty. Ray often spoke of how important his “word” was. If he said it, he would follow through with it. He is a man who exemplifies the art of true manliness learned from life’s experiences and struggles and moving forward in this life with discipline, hard work, honor, and integrity. His walk and his talk, his lessons, his knowledge and guidance upon all those that know him impacted not only his family but everyone that had the opportunity to meet him. Ray knew no stranger. He was always eager to share his humor, his curiosity, his knowledge, and his stories with others. He often spoke using quotable expressions, what we call “Rayisms,” that one cannot help but smile in its retelling. He loved his wife, “Sweetie,” he delighted in his family, he enjoyed his friends, he cared for strangers, he loved his life, and we will miss him doing these things every day.

Raymond Augustus Little Sr. “Ray” of Ocean Isle Beach, NC passed away on Wednesday, April 24, 2019 at the age of 81.5 years.

He was born on October 24, 1937 in Suffolk, Virginia to Dolphus Augustus Little and Janie Lee Bazemore. In 1946 he and his little sister Emma Kay moved back to live with his grandfather Melton Joel Little in the Green Swamp of Ash, NC. Ray’s life and experience in the Green Swamp became a very important part of who he was to become, and later in life would eventually acquire the property that he would hold so dear.

He attended Waccamaw School and made some friends, one of which unknowing to him would become his wife 36 years later.

He graduated Waccamaw School in 1956 and joined the U.S. Marine Corp where he served 2 years stationed in South Korea and Okinawa. After serving in the USMC he settled back in Portsmouth, VA, where he joined the Portsmouth Police Department. He then joined the Virginia Game and Inland Fisheries as a game warden and moved to the Northern Neck. Ray married Erma Louise Mason in1962 and they welcomed a son, Raymond, Jr. in 1963. In February of 1966, Ray joined the Virginia Alcohol Beverage Control Board Enforcement Division where he finished out his distinguished career with the State of Virginia as Director of Enforcement for the ABC Board. It was during his time with the ABC Board, Ray joined the United States Coast Guard Reserves in1966 where he eventually was appointed Executive Officer of Elizabeth City, N.C. Coast Guard base, graduated with a B.S from Old Dominion University in 1971, and was first person from the ABC Board to get accepted and attend the Federal Bureau of Investigation Academy where he graduated top of his class in academics and fire arms in 1972. In 1979, Ray was elected and served as President of the F.B.I National Chapter in 1979-80. Ray would eventually retire from the State in 1992 and from the USCG in 1995.

He came back to his NC roots around 1991 and found his High School Sweetheart. Ray and Lois Williamson “Sweetie” were married June 27, 1992 and lived in Ocean Isle Beach, NC.

He loved to work at the farm which is a very special place for him, and was kept busy operating several local tourism businesses which he enjoyed very much as it provided the opportunity for everyone to get to know this great man.

He was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in many church callings.

He is survived by his wife of 26 years Lois Williamson Little of Ocean Isle Beach; sister, Emma Kay Snyder of Florida; son, Raymond A. Little, Jr, of Richmond, Virginia; three step-children with their spouses, Terry Thorup and Marta of Ocean Isle Beach, Teria Tribett and Jed of Las Vegas, and Troy Thorup and Nicholas of Las Vegas, and his beloved dog, Scooter. He also has 8 grandchildren, Mason Little, Madelyn Little, Breanne Thorup, Tyson Thorup, Tanner Thorup, Brandon Tribett, Dane Tribett, Taylor Tribett, along with 5 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held 3:00 in the afternoon on Saturday May 4, 2019 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 4669 Mintz Street Shallotte.

A time of visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church.