May 4, 1928 – April 30, 2013

COLUMBIA, S.C. — A private family service will be today for Gerald Maurice Little, M.D., 84, who died Tuesday, April 30, 2013.

Arrangements are under the direction of Dunbar Funeral Home in Columbia, S.C.

Gerald was born May 4, 1928, in New Hebron, the son of Emmett Little and Jamie M. Little of Jackson.

Dr. Little was a 1954 graduate of John Hopkins University School of Medicine. Commissioned as a captain in the U.S. Navy during the Korean Conflict, he served the Navajo Nation in Phoenix, Ariz. He worked at the New Orleans General Hospital and in 1957, settled in Natchez after having accepted the position of Chief of Staff for Natchez Charity Hospital.

With the closing of Natchez Charity Hospital, he enjoyed a private practice with partners as a general practitioner to a mostly rural and economically depressed population until 1974. In the mid 1960s, he served as Chief of Staff of Jefferson Davis Memorial Hospital. Disabled and unable to continue practicing medicine, he resided with his son, Scott Little, in Columbia from 1980 until his death.

Survivors include his son, Scott Little and wife, Linda; two daughters, Kim Berkley and husband, David, of Bude and Beth Mason and husband, Don, of Natchez; five grandchildren, Blaze, Haley, Sarah, Blake and Clint; two great-grandchildren; and one niece, Chelsea Helsley.

Special thanks and gratitude to the University of South Carolina Honors College students, Ms. Molly LaPorte, Ms. Michelle Phan, Ms. Tara Vales, Ms. Miranda McIntosh and Mr. Anthony Nguyen.

Online condolences may be sent to www.dunbarfunerals.com.