Orien Emmett Little

Orien Emmett Little went to be with our Lord on March 4, 2018 at the age of 91, surrounded by his loving family and longtime friend Willie Earl Jackson. Visitation will be held from 6:00 - 8:00 P.M. on Tuesday, March 6, 2018 in the Groesbeck Funeral Home Chapel. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 A.M. on Wednesday, March 7, 2018 at the Church of Christ in Groesbeck, with Brother Richard Williams officiating. Burial will follow in Faulkenberry Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Joe Bourgeois, Casey Bourgeois, Brandon Little, Brian Little, Andy Little, Randy Little, Joey Little and Rusty Getz. Honorary pallbearers will be Rand Bates, Bill Sadler, Richard Williams, Cleve Ferguson, Kenneth Hudnall, Chris Henderson and Dennis Teague. Orien was born on April 11, 1926 in the LaSalle community to Floyd Wiley Little and Lola Curtis Little. On April 3, 1945, Orien married Nina Lucille Downey. Shortly after, he enlisted in the U.S Army and served in WWII, and as he would say, he “shook a lot of Russian soldier’s hands.” Orien loved to fish, hunt, play fast-pitch softball, watch his Groesbeck Goats, Dallas Cowboys, and Texas Rangers. He also loved to spend time with his family and spent countless years at the family lake lot. He was a collector of dimes and treasured items his loved ones had given him. Orien worked at the Mexia State Supported Living center as a charge on the central unit and retired many years later. He was a longtime member of the Church of Christ. Orien is preceded in death by his loving parents; his devoted wife of 60 years, Lucille (Luce); brothers, Roy Little, Joe Lee Little, Wilmer Little; sister, Johnnie Marie Little; and son-in-law Mark Bourgeois, as well as with many other dear family members. He is survived by his two sons, Tommy Little of Groesbeck and Mike and wife Deborah Little of Groesbeck; daughter, Tammie Bourgeois of Marlin; and Gail Little of Groesbeck who he loved as his own the past 37 years; and sister-in-law, Dora Lou Little of Groesbeck. Orien also looked at his nieces and nephews, Mitzi Villa, Kynda Morehead and Randy Little as if they were his own kids. His grandchildren are: Brian Little and wife Beckon of Mexia; Andy Little and wife Gentry of Teague; Renea` Little of Groesbeck; Kim Teague and husband Dennis of Burnet; Baby Shane of Conroe; Chris Henderson and wife Kristy of Thornton; Michele Coffin and husband Pete of Groesbeck; Brandon Little and wife Meredith of Robinson; Brandi Getz and husband Rusty of Groesbeck; Joe Bourgeois and wife Crystal of Thornton; and Casey Bourgeois and wife Samantha of Kosse. The great grandchildren are: Ashley, Lexi, Paige, CJ, Zack, Rex, Taylor, Andrew, Piper, Mikayla, Braxton, Ashlynn, Leyton, Caden, Jordyn, Hadyn, Tyler, Emrey, Austin, Brayden, Trevor and Tucker. On behalf of “Papa’s” family, we would like to give a special thank you to Richard Williams for loving Orien like a brother as well as extend a huge thank you to the Groesbeck LTC, from the bottom of our hearts, for everything they have done to make him feel loved for the remainder of his days. We would also like to thank the staff at Providence Hospice for all of the care and support he received. He loved you all.