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Brenda Little Obituary

Little, Reverend Dr. Brenda J. Senior Pastor of Bethany Baptist Church of Christ in Evanston, IL passed on December 26, 2012, after a valiant battle with cancer. Pastor Little resident of Morton Grove, IL was born October 26, 1941 in Champaign, IL. A two-day public celebration in honor of her life, ministry and legacy, is scheduled as follows: Friday, January 4, 2013 1 to 5 p.m. Layinstate Visitation, Bethany Baptist Church of Christ 1225 Elmwood Avenue, Evanston, IL 60202 Friday, January 4, 2013 7 p.m. Musical Commendation & Loving Tributes Second Baptist Church 1717 Benson Avenue, Evanston, IL 60201 Saturday, January 5, 2013 9 to 10 a.m. Visitation 9 a.m. and HomeGoing Services 10 a.m. Northwestern University, Alice Millar Chapel 1870 Sheridan Road, Evanston, IL 60208. Affectionately called by her congregation, Reverend B. was a renowned preacher and teacher both nationally and internationally. Over the four-decade span of her ministry, she made history in several venues: the first African-American woman ordained at Second Baptist Church; the first African-American woman called as Senior Pastor of Bethany Baptist Church of Christ in Evanston, the first female to serve in the chaplaincy in the department of Veterans Affairs, the first female to graduate with a Masters of Divinity degree from Northern Baptist Theological Seminary, Lombard, IL. Her visionary and prophetic ministry immeasurably transformed the landscape of Christian ministry in African-American churches, as she pioneered the path to ordained ministry for hundreds of women and men. She received the Doctor of Ministry degree and the Master of Divinity Degree in Pastoral Ministry and Counseling from Northern Baptist Theological Seminary; and the Bachelor of Religious Education degree with a concentration in Christian Education from the Chicago Baptist Institute. Prior to beginning her professional vocation in Christian Ministry, she received her Diploma in Nursing from Michael Reese Hospital. Rev. Dr. Brenda J. Little leaves to cherish her memory her loving husband of 28 years, Rev. Dr. Alfred Little, three children, Bryan A. Piper (Champaign, IL); Becki M. (Piper) Hall (Bloomfield, CT); Bradley A. Piper (Chicago, IL); her mother, Sylvia M. Williams (Champaign, IL); six grandchildren, Michael, Tyler, Brandon, Devon, Justin and Lauryn and scores of nieces and nephews. Please note in lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that you send gifts to Pastor Little's selected organizations: Northern Baptist Theological Seminary, United Negro College Fund and / or the American Cancer Society.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Chicago Sun-Times on Jan. 4, 2013.

Memories and Condolences
for Brenda Little

Not sure what to say?





carolyn

March 12, 2013

you touched my life in so many ways. Like an angel God sent from heaven to have charge over His people. I'll miss you.

Loretta English

January 30, 2013

My "Reverend B.", words cannot describe how much I miss you. I thank God that he allowed me to learn and grow in his grace through you. Be blessed Rev. A, Brian, Becki and Brad. I am continuing to pray for you all and I'm just a phone call away.

January 21, 2013

I was one of Brenda's nurses at Dr. Kinnealey's. Brenda was an inspiration to all of us. She faced the unknown with utmost grace and dignity. She will forever remain in our hearts. We will always love and miss her.
Joy Karakosta

January 19, 2013

One of God's great Power Houses!

Glen Thames

January 10, 2013

Such a lovely and wonderful spirit. I am grateful to have known you. You will missed by so many loved ones. May your spirit live on in your grandchildren and may we all find comfort that you are out of pain and at peace with our Lord and savior.

Love, Glendowly L.H. Thames

Rev. Jeanette Pollard, RN

January 10, 2013

Rev. Brenda was an early influence in my going forth in my call to ministry. I can remember being encouraged as I first saw and heard her preach at Harford Memorial Baptist Church. She has been a model for women in ministry that will never be forgotten.

Shannon Holmes

January 9, 2013

I have had the pleasure hearing Dr. Little preach for the past 8 years at the annual women's conference in Matteson, Illinois. I have been blessed by her ministry and encouraged to continue to spread the gospel. My life will be forever enriched by this great woman of God.
Judge Shannon A. Holmes, Detroit Michigan

Sandra Street

January 8, 2013

Dr. Brenda Little mentored me as we worked together as Sunday School teachers. Great part of my Christian Growth. In loving memory of a wonderful person.

Debra L. Hawkins

January 6, 2013

I am so honored and blessed that God chose me to be a recipient of the eternal seeds that Rev. Brenda so graciously planted in my life. She was truly an honorable and loving woman of God. I pray God's blessings and comfort for the family and many loved ones.

kim smith

January 6, 2013

Rev Brenda Little was an inspiration in my life. I loved her dearly.

Elaine Hines

January 6, 2013

The tribute to Rev. Dr. Brenda Williams Piper Little was truly a great testament to all she has accomplished. Sending my love to Bryan, Becki, Bradley, Rev. Al Little,and her mother Sylvia. My friend, Brenda will always be in my memories. God's blessing to you all!

Jeanie Jackson

January 5, 2013

As the days and weeks pass, and as you return to life's routine, may you continue to feel comforted by the love and support of family and friends.

Jeanette Washington

January 5, 2013

Rev Brenda planted seeds of life in ways she may have never known. I reap benefits from seeds planted by God through her willingness to be a powerful vessel of his through the spiritual guidance given to my sister, Rev Dr Irene Taylor. God's comfort & peace be with you, Rev Al and your family. RIP, Rev Brenda!

Rev. Precious Mays-Matthews

January 5, 2013

I am so happy for the time we spent together in ministry as colleagues and friends. I've always supported her in ministry. She was a great woman of God.

Vickie Brown-Gurley

January 5, 2013

Rev. Little was truly a blessing to me as a Christian woman. Her Women Spiritually Empowered retreats took me to another level in my relationship with Christ. She was truly a servant of God.

January 5, 2013

Rev. Dr. Little was a great preacher and prognosticator of the Gospel. She will be missed!
Blessings and sympathy to her family!

Dr. Carroll A. Baltimore, Sr.

January 5, 2013

As President of the Progressive National Baptist Convention, Inc. (PNBC), I can truly say that Dr. Little was a colleague and friend. She lectured and preached in several of the PNBC sessions, served on the Evangelism Board, and in other capacities as appointed and needed. The PNBC has been blessed by her presence over the years and the participation of the Bethany Baptist Church of Christ. Please know that the 2.5 million PNBC members send their prayers, love and support during this difficult time.

I encourage Dr. Albert Little, the family and friends to remember that God is fully acquainted with your sorrow and grief. We may weep and mourn, but not as those who have no hope. Dr. Little did not run her race in vain, but was faithful all the way to death. Dr. Brenda Little fought the good fight; she kept the faith and has a crown waiting her. Because Christ lives, we have the confidence in knowing that Dr. Brenda J. Little lives also. And we will remember and celebrate her life and legacy as an extraordinary pioneer and woman of God.

Dr. Carroll A. Baltimore,Sr.
19th President, Progressive National Baptist Convention, Inc. (PNBC)

Bernice Downs

January 4, 2013

To the family of Reverend Little
Your loved one was one of a kind. She lived her life as a woman of God. She was and will always be an inspiration! I will always remember her as a beautiful, warm person.

Cathy Key

January 4, 2013

Well done, thy good and faithful servant, well done!

K LITTLE

January 4, 2013

she will surely be missed. LOVE YOU BECKY, BRIAN AND BRADLEY

Vikki Taylor

January 4, 2013

She lived her love and passion. She showed me the way to connect to the guiding spirit in my life. She is already missed.

January 4, 2013

We thank God for you having come into our lives. What a difference you made in the world. Well done faithful servant of the Lord.

January 4, 2013

Soror Becki and family,
Our hearts go out to you. As always you will remain in our prayers. With deepest sympathy, Soror Linnet Carty and family.

Wendy Weaver

January 4, 2013

Thank you for allowing God to use you to birth WSE. It totally changed my life and so many others...I thank you!

Lisa Ballard

January 4, 2013

Dr. Brenda Little paved the way for many women in ministry. We were blessed to attend her annual retreat for years. Rest, Dr. Little, we'll see you on the other side.

Vince McFallar

January 4, 2013

My sincere condolences to Becki, Bryan and Brad on the loss of your mother.

Rev. Shirley A. Roberts

January 4, 2013

To have known Rev. Dr. Brenda J. Little and to have been mentored and encouraged by her is one of the greatest gifts that I could have ever received. The dynamics of her life, faith, ministry and rich legacy will forever be etched in the canons of religious history and in the hearts of those whose lives she touched.

Well done, good and faithful servant! Well done! Thank you for blazing the trail in ministry for me!

Margaret Frye

January 4, 2013

Much love to Dr.Alfred & Bethany Baptist Church. We all have suffered a great lost. God bless and keep us all in his care.

Essie Clark-George

January 4, 2013

We will miss our food,fun and fellowship times we spent together. Roger and I celebrate your life and ministry my sister. The sisterhood will never be the same without you! Rest in peace Brenda!

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