Ruth V. Little

On August 6, 1930, a strong, brilliant, and spirited soul, named Ruth Virginia, was welcomed into this world by parents Edgar Rawlins Sr and Gomera Banks in Greensboro, NC. A few years later a brother, Pete, joined them. Ruth passed away on March 1, 2021. Ruth graduated with honors from the Women’s College of NC, majoring in history, minoring in education and earned a master’s degree. After college, Ruth moved to Brooklyn, NY, where she became the curator of Cultural History at the Brooklyn Children’s Museum, eventually becoming Supervisor of Education. She later took a job in Green Bay as the Curator of Education at the Neville Public Museum. Here, she met her future husband, Don Little. They married December 1967. In 1977, they moved to Hartville, MO. Ruth volunteered with Mercy Hospital Auxiliary and served as its President. When Don’s health began failing, in the late 1990’s, they moved to Springfield. Ruth was one of a kind. She enjoyed witty conversation, dry, clever humor, and a good book. She was active in Democratic politics her entire life, going back to helping her father campaign for FDR in 1936. She ran for Wright County Treasurer. She volunteered on many a campaign and served as a Democratic Committeewoman for the Greene County Democratic Party and was active in the Women’s Democratic Clubs. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, brother and a special friend, Marion Gross. She is survived by many friends, including her caretaker, Matthew Patterson. Thank you to the staff at Strafford Care Center for their loving and attentive care. Ruth requested that no service be held. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Greene County Democratic Party in her name at www.gcmodems.org.