To us all, death is a mystery and when death calls one of our loved ones it is as though a vast dark curtain was raised and a glimpse of the Great Beyond, where loved ones are waiting, were evident.

Thus was the passing of James Robert Little, born near Maytown, Wolf County, Kentucky, February 8, 1879, and on January 25, 1936, at 7:25 p.m. he answered the summons of the Great Beyond and peacefully slipped away at his home after a brief illness from pneumonia, at the age of 56 years, 11 months and 17 days.

On March 10, 1898, he was united in marriage to Mary Frances Bryant, and to this union seven children were born, two children, Goldie Bonnie and Quincy Evert, passing away in infancy. In 1913 his wife died and in the spring he came with his family of children to a farm near Belton, Mo., where he was both father and mother to his growing family.

July 6, 1918, he was married to Margaret Hall and they moved in the fall of 1919 to a farm near Freeman, Mo., where he resided until his death. To this union one child, Archie Elaine, was born, both mother and child passing away. On August 6, 1924, he was united in marriage to Marian Ruth Myers of the same community. They became the parents of two children, James Robert and Ruth Evelyn.

He united with the Methodist church in 1911. After locating near Freeman, he transferred his membership to the Presbyterian Church, in which fellowship he continued to the end, taking an active part in the church work. He also taught a class of young men in the Sunday School, seldom missing a Sunday in attendance. He was a member of the Maytown Masonic Lodge, No. 656, at Maytown, Ky.

In passing he is survived by his wife and the following children: Mrs. James B. Harris, Bolivar, Tenn.; John and Omer of Cleveland; Rose of Kansas City, Mo.; Clifford of Freeman; and James Robert and Ruth Evelyn of the home. He is also survived by nine grandchildren and the following brothers and sisters: Mrs. Alice Phipps, West Milton, Ohio; Smith Little, Pomeroyton, Ky.; Mrs. Nancy Frick, Atkinson, Ill.; William Little, Pomeroyton, Ky.; Mrs. Mike Bradley, Miller, S.D.; Joe Little, Middleton, Ohio. Two other sisters preceded him in death.

Those who knew him found him to be a man of fine character and sympathetic nature and esteemed him highly for his beautiful spirit. A quiet life has passed on to its reward.

"Loving and kind in all his ways,
Upright and just to the end of his days.
Sincere and honest in heart and mind;
What a beautiful memory he left behind."

The funeral service was held on Monday afternoon at the Presbyterian Church, conducted by the Rev. T. C. Brammer, of Butler, Mo., a request of the deceased, assisted by the pastor, Rev. A. D. Johnston, of Kansas City.

Active and honorary pall bearers were his class of young men in the Sunday School. The beautiful floral offerings bespoke the high esteem in which he was held.

Burial was in the Freeman Cemetery.

Published in the Cass County Democrat; Thurs., Jan. 30, 1936.