Idella M. Little, 83, Rockingham, NC passed on Tuesday, November 21, 2023.  Funeral Service will be held at 2:00pm on Tuesday, November 28, 2023, at Philadelphia United Methodist Church, 157 Philadelphia Dr. Rockingham, NC  28379.  Public Viewing, Monday, November 27, 2023, 1:00pm until 6:00pm at Nelson Funeral Home, 1021 E. Washington Street, Rockingham, NC  28379.  The family will receive friends and visitors at 114 Rebecca Dr, Rockingham, NC  28379.  Nelson Funeral Service is serving the family.

Obituary

Idella “Della” Mae Little was born on March 28, 1940 to the late Rebecca Peggy Fletcher and John Clarence Wall in Rockingham, NC. She departed this life on November 22, 2023 at First Health Moore Regional Hospital in Pinehurst, NC.

Della grew up in the Philadelphia community where she accepted Christ as her Savior and joined Philadelphia United Methodist Church at an early age. As an obedient servant of Christ, she served as a member of the Trustee Board, Willing Hands, Finance Committee, Official Board, Usher Board, Food Committee, United Methodist Women, and Nominating Committee. Additionally, she served as Lay Speaker, Head of Sunday School, Children’s Ministry, Prayer Team, as well as a member of the Senior Choir, the Voices of Inspiration, and the Mass Choir.

 Della was employed as a housekeeper for various families in Richmond County, NC, including the late John and Alesia Covington. Della was preceded in death by her siblings, William Fletcher, Clara Ewing, Virginia Ellerbe, and Iris Fletcher.

She is survived by: her loving husband, Milton Lee Little; her children, Lee Herbert Covington (Valerie) of Lillington, NC, William Delmar Covington (Diana) of Fayetteville, NC, Jesse Wayne Covington (Laura) of Winter Springs, FL, Thomas Reid Covington (Sherry) of Fayetteville, NC, Christine McLaughlin of Rockingham, NC, and James Arness Ledbetter of Rockingham, NC; one sister, Debra Fletcher of Rockingham, NC; one sister-inlaw, Barbara Ann Little of Washington, DC; she nurtured two grandchildren, William Lamont Green and Christopher Lee Covington; eighteen grandchildren; thirty great-grandchildren; fourteen great-great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends who loved her dearly.