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Obituary for GLORIA R. LITTLE
Gloria Regina Estep Little "aka Little Feet" passed peacefully on May 30, 2017, at Holy Cross Hospital in Silver Spring, Maryland, at the age of 70. She was born at home in Fairhaven, Maryland on October 3, 1946, to the late William Eugene Estep Sr. and Mary Gladys (Curtis) Estep-Routh. During her early childhood years, the family resided on Chewning Farm in Tracy’s Landing, MD until later moving to Jewell Road, Dunkirk, MD. Gloria attended Wiley H. Bates High School and was a graduate of the class of 1964. Following graduation, she enrolled at the Cortez Peters Business School and completed training in business and secretarial skills. Later she married Fred Little Jr. of Tennessee and relocated to Washington, DC. From this union, her beautiful daughter and joy of her life, Denise, was born.
Gloria was raised in a close and loving family and, as the only girl and oldest, was doted on by her parents and brothers. She was also the pride and joy of her Aunt Cleo, (owner of, what was then, Cleo’s Restaurant), with whom she spent much time and shared a special bond. Gloria’s first job was working at the restaurant. Subsequently, she was employed with the Federal Government – the Department of Health, Education and Welfare (now Health and Human Services) and the U. S. Treasury Department from which she retired -- for over 30 years. While working for the Treasury Department, Gloria and her colleagues became like family. This bond developed and strengthened over the span of years. Regularly, they would each prepare a dish to share and have a restaurant-style breakfast together before starting work. As if that was not enough, they would later meet for lunch, enjoying their meal but more importantly, just being together. After Gloria’s retirement, they would gather at least twice a year, during which they would savor the abundance of home-cooked dishes they had prepared and continue to celebrate their treasured friendship.
Gloria was anchored in her faith and lived her life with love and joy. She cherished and was cherished by her family, was a loyal friend and was always uplifting and encouraging to others. As an active and dedicated member of Carter’s United Methodist Church, Gloria served on several church boards and was a member of the United Methodist Women. She also formed and directed two choirs, the Everready Choir, (which later became the Mass Choir), and the Young Voices United. Always seeking to encourage spiritual development of the children, Gloria, with the assistance of her best friend and co-worker, Sandy, purchased a Bible for every child in the choir. Additional activities included promoting breast cancer awareness by initiating the church’s involvement in Relay for Life and serving as a coordinator and teacher for Vacation Bible School. Further, Gloria started a Cross Rally, a fundraiser where multiple choirs came together on Palm Sunday or Easter. This annual tradition continues. While a resident at Genesis Layhill Center, Gloria faithfully attended church services lead by Reverend Doctor Michael Featherstone. She also received communion and regular visits from Charlotte Coleman, Certified Lay Servant of Carter’s United Methodist Church.
Gloria, an avid Redskins fan, loved to sing, loved to sew and loved to have a good time. One of her passions was to spoil anyone’s child, whether she knew them or not. She loved the children because she knew that planting a seed of love in their lives would be something to remain forever. She also had a great love for her pets: Scotty, Lady, Muffin, Fluffy, Baby and Joy. This love also extended to Ming and Sybil, two pets she had recently met at Genesis Layhill.
Gloria was a ray of sunshine, always smiling, and always expressing concern and love for others. She exemplified Matthew 5:16 to "let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven."
Gloria is survived by her loving and devoted daughter, Denise Ivory, and a very devoted son-in-law, Robert Ivory; her sweet dog, Baby, and finicky cat, Joy; siblings, Eugene Sherman Estep (Joyce), William Eugene Estep, Jr. and Warren Lee Estep; sisters-in-law, Romcesa Estep, Karen Estep, Donna Billingsley, and Diana Bell; brothers-in-law, Milton Little and Jim Little; Aunt Isabella Estep and a host of other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, William Eugene Estep Sr. and Mary Gladys Curtis Estep-Routh, and brothers, Carl Thomas Estep and Vaughn Glen Estep.
