Mary "Helen" Little

After living a life "bigger than Dallas" as she might have described it, on March 28, 2025, in Goodyear, Arizona, Mary "Helen" (Walden) Little closed her eyes to rest and left this world behind. It was a peaceful end to a full and well-lived life. Helen was born in Okemah, Ok., on August 6, 1932. She was the middle child of five born to W.T. and Ethel Walden and grew up surrounded by her siblings and lots of half-siblings. Sometime in her early teen years, Helen met Thomas Almer "T.A." Little and they were hooked on each other for life. In 1948, T.A.'s family was preparing to leave Oklahoma for New Mexico, and Helen and T.A. spent the summer threatening to elope. As the story (sometimes) goes, weary of listening to the conversation, Helen's sister told them she'd buy them an ice cream cone if they'd just get married. And so, on July 10, 1948, they did. They fudged their ages on the marriage license to make it happen. The next 36 years were spent building a life, raising their three kids, Rich, Tom, and Brenda, and having a great time with family and friends, ultimately landing in Hobbs, NM. Their house was often the place to be for cards and carrying on, and always the place for love and laughs. In 1984, her own heart broke when T.A. passed of a heart attack. For the more than 40 years since, she built a legacy - loving all the people in her life and every new friend she met along the way. She loved each of her children fiercely and that grew to include her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. In addition to caring for her family at home, Helen spent more than 50 years as the Snack Bar Manager at Highland Junior High, serving more than 4 million meals to Highland Bears. More people just meant more love. She also had high expectations for all, and she instilled strong character and work ethic with a smile and encouraging words without compromising those high demands. Also, Helen loved to play games and laugh, and to cheer for the Dallas Cowboys, win or lose. She always had a twinkle in her eye and a little mischief on her mind - she might pretend to steal a diamond bracelet or cheat a little at dice, all in good fun and the name of making others laugh. Helen is preceded in death by the love of her life, Thomas Almer "T.A." Little, her parents William Tyler "W.T." and Ethel (Clarkson) Walden, and her daughter-in-law Linda (Batla) Little. She is survived by sons C. Richard "Rich" Little, of Paint Rock, Texas, Thomas A. "Tom" Little, Jr. (Lisa) of Breckenridge, Colorado, and daughter Brenda (Richard) Morgan of Avondale, Arizona, as well as her grandchildren Alisha (Matt) Quagliana, Sarah (Stuart) Davenport, Ciara (Ryan) Bearden, J. Tyler Morgan, Thomas A. "Tom" (Joclyn) Little, III, Aaron (Madison) Cross, great-grandchildren Ella Bearden, Seth Davenport, Autumn Morgan, and Scarlett Morgan, her brother Dale Walden, many nieces and nephews, and all of her Highland kids. Helen had the biggest heart, full of love, and we are forever grateful as we carry on her legacy of love. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Hobbs Municipal Schools, 1515 E. Sanger St., Hobbs, NM 88240. In memo line please designate memory of Mary "Helen" Little to Highland Student Activities Fund.