Shelly Marie Little passed away unexpectedly on August 22, 2026. She was born August 8, 1978, to John D. Little and the late Ester B. Little in Hickory, North Carolina.

Shelly was preceded in death by her mother Ester B. Little and grandparents; William and Essie Little and Simpson and Pearlie Mae Bumgarner.

She leaves behind one son, Reginald Demarest Ford, Jr.; her father, John D. Little of Hickory, North Carolina; brother, Raymond Bumgarner (Sherrita) of Gastonia, North Carolina; sister, Jessica Little of Hickory, North Carolina; nephews, Preston Bumgarner of Raleigh, North Carolina, Jamir Walls of Hickory, North Carolina; nieces, Jevaeh Walls and Marissa Bumgarner both of Hickory, North Carolina; and a host of other relatives and friends.

There will be a gathering of family and friends on Sunday, August 30, 2026, from 2 p.m. - 3 p.m. at the Walter Gladys Memorial Chapel of Dirk M. Thompson Mortuary. Interment will be at the Southside Cemetery, Hickory, North Carolina. Dirk M. Thompson Mortuary is serving the Little family.  (828) 323-1980 www.dirkmthompsonmortuary.com