Ora Murline Little, 92, of Denton and formerly of Waco, died Sunday morning at Autumn Leaves Memory Care. Services will be held Friday at 2:00 PM at Mulkey-Mason Funeral Home Chapel. Visitation with the family will be Thursday evening from 6 to 8 PM.
Ora was born July 8, 1923, to Benny and Cindy Pearson. She was the tenth of twelve children. She grew up in Austonio, Texas, and married James Monroe Manry, Jr. in 1942. They were married for 19 years until his death in 1961. They had two daughters, Sherry and Linda, and one son, James Monroe III who died in infancy. The family traveled extensively throughout the US while James worked as a private contractor for the US Air Force.
In 1969, Ora married Waymon H. Little and moved to Waco. They were married for 30 years until his death in 1999. She and Waymon devoted their lives to volunteering their time with the Rebekah and Odd Fellows organizations. Ora was active in Eastern Star, Denton Rebekah Lodge #18, Independent Order of Odd Fellows Denton Lodge #82, LAPM #41 and LEA, and she held many top offices at both local and state levels of these organizations.
Ora also worked at Denton State School, Pure Milk Company, and managed H&R Block offices in Waco. During her lifetime, she traveled to or lived in 49 of the 50 states and visited 14 different countries including Saudi Arabia where her daughter and son-in-law lived and worked. She enjoyed dancing, singing, and playing piano. But most of all she loved being Mema to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and grand-puppies.
She continued to live in Waco until she was nearly 90 years old when she moved back to Denton to live with her daughter, Sherry. Her last years were spent being cared for by her two devoted daughters. The last few months of her life were spent at Autumn Leaves Memory Care Home.
She is preceded in death by her parents, two husbands, 10 siblings, her infant son, and two infant grandchildren. She is survived by her sister, Myrtle Richardson, of Simms, TX; her daughter, Sherry Farmer, and husband, Charles, of Denton and daughter, Linda Winters, and husband, Mel, of Buda; her grandchildren, Cathy Laney, of Denton and Chris Farmer, and wife, Angie, of Krum; her 6 great-grandchildren, Ashlan, Caleb, Anslie, Alyssa, Hailie, and Andrea; and her many nieces and nephews. She believed in guardian angels and is sure to be one now already watching over her family.
Ora's family wishes to thank the wonderful caregivers at Autumn Leaves Memory Care and Hospice Plus for their devoted and loving care in the last months of her life. Condolences may be sent to the Mulkey-Mason website. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made on her behalf to the Alzheimer's Association or to the Theta Rhos or Junior Odd Fellows.