Marinell Little passed away at the age of 101 after months of declining health on Thursday, May 15, 2025, at Brookdale Peachtree Assisted Living. A lifelong resident of Statesville, she was born December 15, 1923, at Bradford’s Crossroads community.

Marinell was a long-time member of St. John’s Lutheran Church.

She attended Statesville city schools and graduated from Mitchell College. She was accepted into the Dental Hygiene program at the University of Tennessee Dental School, where she graduated number one in her class.

She returned to North Carolina where she worked part time for several dentists in Hickory. When her brother, Dr. Jim Little, set up his dental practice in Statesville, she joined him and became the first licensed registered dental hygienist in Iredell County. She was meticulous in caring for her patients and enjoyed a dedicated 32-year career.

Marinell’s greatest joy was spending time with her extended family at the beach house she built at Ocean Drive in 1957. As they congregated there over the years crabbing, deep sea fishing, and cooking, love and laughter were always the order of the day. Her family still reflects on that time spent together with many fond memories.

She was an excellent tennis player and golfer in her younger years. She was the first woman to ever get a hole-in-one at the Dunes Club Golf Course at Myrtle Beach in the late 1950s. Marinell also enjoyed needlework and yardwork, and she was an astute businesswoman, buying and selling real estate on the side. She will be remembered for her love of family, sense of duty, strong spirit and determination in everything she did.

Preceding her in death were her parents, Lillian Bradford Little and Dr. Espy Eugene Little; her sister Frances Little Davis; and her brother Dr. James Eugene Little.

She is survived by her niece, Dycie Little Walton of Statesville who was like a daughter to her; great nephew, James Bradford Walton of Bellingham, Wash., and his children, Helly and Pepper Walton. Also surviving are a niece, Frances Davis Kitchin of Wilmington, a nephew, Thomas Jefferson Davis (Pam) of Greenville, S.C., great niece, Caroline Kitchen Jones (Chris) of Wilmington, great nephew, Henry Little Kitchin Jr. (Mabel) of Wilmington, great nieces Amy Davis Derrick (Chris) of Greenville, S.C., and Melissa Davis Price (Brandon) of Greer, S.C.; and cousins, Dr. James Bradford (Ruby) and Mrs. Nickie Crawford. Also surviving are many great-great nieces and nephews of Wilmington and Greenville, SC area.

A graveside service will be conducted at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 7, 2025, at Oakwood Cemetery with Rev. Lynn Kunkle officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Hospice of Iredell County, 2341 Simonton Road, Statesville, NC 28625, or the charity of one’s choice.

The family would like to thank all the caregivers at Brookdale Peachtree Assisted Living. A special thank you to private caregivers Sarah, Theresa, Karson and Shona.

Troutman Funeral Home will be serving the Little family.