Charles “Charlie” Thomas Little, 74, of Valliant, Oklahoma, peacefully departed to his heavenly home on September 29th, 2026, surrounded by his loved ones. Charlie was born on June 6th, 1952, in Wilcox, Arizona to James S. Little and Josephine “Josie” Nancy Jane (Lindsey) Little. During his 74 years on Earth, he took on many roles, specifically that of being a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.

Charlie married the love of his life, Dretha Rose Crawford, on September 29th, 1972— a love that would span 54 years, carry them through every season of life, and remain the cornerstone of his life until the very day he passed away: on their 54th wedding anniversary. As a resident of McCurtain County for over forty years, Charlie’s main profession developed into mechanics, primarily automotive and aircraft mechanics. From building sawmills to overhauling a transmission, every day of Charlie’s life was never short of hard work. He loved to visit with friends, read his bible, invest his whole heart with his grandchildren, and assure himself that everyone he loved was taken care of. Of all the titles Charlie carried throughout his life, none meant more to him than “Grandpa.” He had a remarkable way of making each of his grandchildren feel special, making sure his “angel girls” and his “favorite grandson” always felt the full measure of his love. One of Charlie’s favorite hobbies was taking care of others; regardless of their situation, it was his moral obligation to lend a helping hand– no matter the circumstance. If you knew Charlie, you knew his heart was bigger than any room he walked into.

Charlie is preceded in death by his mother and father, James S. and Josephine N. J., along with his siblings: Reuben, Edward Sr., Tommy, Dorothy, Laverne, and Necie.

The legacy that Charlie leaves behind is one he would take tremendous pride in. He is survived by his devoted wife, Dretha, of Valliant; his son, Derek Little and his wife, Rheba, of Garvin; his daughter, Michelle Green and her husband, Lee, of Wright City; his grandchildren: Charli (honorary grandson, Andy Gibson), Blake-Lee, Brinlee, Sapphira, Rhenzley, and his great-grandchild, Laramie. He is also survived by his siblings: his sister Sally Williamson and her husband, David, of Clayton, his sister, Ethel Halsted, of New Mexico, and his brother, James Little, of Georgia.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you simply love one another. Hold your family close, make the extra phone call, stay a little longer at the kitchen table, laugh together, forgive quickly, live for Christ, and never leave the words “I love you” unsaid. These are the things Charlie treasured most, and the greatest way to honor his memory is to carry that love forward.