Vivian Collier Little, a resident of Westminster-Canterbury in Lynchburg, Virginia, did May 9, 2014 at the age of 100. She was born August 1, 1913, in Portsmouth, Virginia to Edward Lee Collier and Manie Blanche Revere Collier. She grew up in Norfolk, Virginia.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her sister, Mildred Collier Knight in 1963 and her husband of 49 years, Colonel Murray Adams Little in 1984.
She is survived by her daughters Joan Little Manross and husband Ira of Blacksburg, Virginia and Susan Little Frantz and husband Gene of Lynchburg; four grandchildren – Mark Manross, Dean Manross (wife Lisa), Jennifer Gayden (husband Greg) and Scott Frantz (wife Kelly); and three great grandchildren – Taylor Manross, Gavin Gayden and Jack Frantz.
Colonel Little was a member of the U.S. Army, 29th Division of the Signal Corps for 30 years and served in both World War II and Korea. Vivian was a supportive and dedicated military wife. The family had several tours of duty at Fort Monmouth, New Jersey, and one in Asmara, Eritrea where Colonel Little was Station Commander. After returning to the states, Vivian developed an interest in flower arranging, and learned to play golf. She was President of the Officer’s Wives Club and was active in Protestant Women of the Chapel.
She moved to Lynchburg in 1997 to be close to family and was a charter member of the cottage community at Westminster-Canterbury. At Westminster she served on the Dining Committee and worked in the “Trash and Treasure†Shop. She was a member of First Christian Church and enjoyed Wednesday morning Bible Study, the Hugh Toler Sunday School class and Kate Montgomery Circle.
Vivian had many talents that included making dried flower wreaths and arrangements. She was also an accomplished seamstress as well as an oil and watercolor artist. She exhibited some of her work at Westminster-Canterbury and sold many of her creations at the annual food & craft bazaar in support of the Employee Assistance Fund.
Vivian was a caring mother and so enjoyed her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She delighted in their accomplishments and always prayed for them. She will be greatly missed by her loved ones.
A visitation will be held on Wednesday, May 14, 2014 at Tharp Funeral Home in Lynchburg, from 7-8:30pm. A celebration of Vivian’s life will be held Thursday, May 15, 2014 at First Christian Church, 3109 Rivermont Avenue in Lynchburg at 11:30 am with Rev. Kim Steinhorst and Rev. Audrey Connor officiating. Burial will be at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia where she will join her husband.
Memorial contributions may be made to First Christian Church or a charity of your choice. Tharp Funeral Service is serving the family.