Phillip (Craig) Little

Phillip (Craig) Little, 84, of Wilkesboro, passed away on Thursday, June 25, 2026. A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. at Wilkesboro Baptist Church on Sunday, June 28, 2026. The family will receive friends immediately following the service in the church fellowship hall.

Craig was born on October 24, 1941, in Stony Point, to Rev. Henkle and Mildred Little. Craig’s dream of playing the piano came about through his mother’s willingness to forego a washing machine to purchase a second-hand piano. From an early age, Craig played for church services, weddings, funerals, and family reunions. He could transpose a hymn into any key, tailoring the song to fit the singer’s vocal range.

A first-generation college student, he graduated from Lenior-Rhyne College with a BA in Music and later received a Master’s Degree and advanced credentials from Appalachian State University. He stressed the importance of going to college to his children and inspired all of them to become educators and singers.

Linda was his true love, and they recently celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary. Together they navigated the ups and downs that life sent their way, leaning on each other and their faith in God. When they told the story of how they fell in love, Craig said he proposed to Linda after five dates–Linda thinks the real number is three. In any event, they raised three children, welcomed in-laws into the family, and dearly loved five grandchildren. Their care, compassion, and love for each other were never more evident than in the challenges of Craig’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis more than 14 years ago. Alzheimer’s took many things, but it did not erase his love of music, family, or faith.

Craig is better known as Mr. Little to thousands of K-12 students over his 44-year career in public education, and hundreds of voice and piano students. He believed that anyone could learn to sing, and he knew how to make every voice sound its best. Every student was welcome in his class. Students who struggled in other classes were likely to be the lead role in his musicals. As a result, his classes were jammed-packed, and his performances were must-see events.

He served as a minister of music in numerous churches, often directing the adult, youth, and children’s choirs, handbell choirs, and participating in youth mission trips around the country. He is famous for saying, “If you won’t do it for me, do it for the Lord,” when twisting an arm to fill his choirs. Except that he believed it. Everything about his music was ‘doing it for the Lord.’

Craig was a master storyteller and loved eliciting a laugh, even if it meant not letting the truth get in the way of a good story. If you knew Craig well, you have a favorite story. Please reach out to the family and share some of your favorite memories.

He is survived by his wife, Linda Kaye Setzer Little; son, Phillip Lynn Little (Sheri Little) of Lenoir; daughter, Karalee Craige Turner-Little (Brad Turner-Little) of Damascus, Maryland; son, Gregory Daniel Little (Julie Little) of Lexington, South Carolina; sister, Melva Little Payne (Ron Payne) of Cumming, Georgia; six grandchildren, Savannah Weidman-Little (Jake Weidman-Little), Lydia Turner-Little, Kaylee Little, Isaac Turner-Little, and Naomi Little; and many kinfolk and friends who feel and sing like family.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Wilkesboro Baptist Church, 300 W. Main Street, Wilkesboro, NC 28697 (https://www.wilkes
borobaptist.org/Give), or Alzheimer’s Association, 4600 Park Road, Suite 250, Charlotte, NC 28209 (https://www.alz.org/northcarolina).

Online condolences may be made to www.reinssturdivant.com.