Scholarship Honors Legacy Of A Life Ended Too Soon

Summary Date: Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Written By: Patrick Norris

Key figures behind the creation of the John Little Scholarship include, from left, Dr. Alan Jordan, assistant superintendent of Granville County Schools, attorney Jim Cross, Little’s mother, Paige Little, and Jeanne Lawson of the N.C. Community Foundation.

"Everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And the door is open, to everyone who knocks." – Luke 11:10

This simple line of scripture is a fitting addition to the brochure for the John Anthony Little Memorial Scholarship.

Little loved the outdoors. Growing up in northern Granville County, he would spend hours outside playing sports before developing a love for hunting and fishing.

Little graduated from J.F. Webb High School and attended UNC Greensboro before transferring to N.C. State to finish his education. Little, who was one of the few in his family to attend college, had a landscaping job lined up and after he graduated in the spring of 2009 and he planned to work on the family farm.

On Nov. 22, 2008, Little was spending a relaxing evening with a group of friends.

"John wanted to have some people up to the farm to camp and fish," James Cross of Royster, Cross & Hensley in Oxford recalled. "At some point that night John and another boy went to get some firewood. John was the passenger in the car, and as they headed back the car ran off the road and the driver over-corrected. John died instantly in the crash.

"It was a totally sad situation."

Cross, who coached John in youth soccer, handled the settlement with the insurance company for John’s mother, Paige Little, and the idea of a scholarship honoring John was born.

"Paige came to the firm and said she really wanted to do something good to help remember John," Cross said. "We were able to establish this scholarship to help provide students graduating from Webb High School with the resources to help them attend college."

"I am pleased and honored that Royster, Cross and Hensley wanted to partner with me," Paige Little said. "We talked about how I could continue John’s legacy and we decided a scholarship would be appropriate. My hope is that we can positively impact the lives of the young people who are recipients of this scholarship."

Cross’ firm and the Little family had the full support of the community and the school system when the scholarship was being established.

"It is wonderful that the school district and community can rally for such a worthwhile cause," Dr. Timothy Farley, Granville County Schools superintendent. "The family, loved ones, teachers, friends and community members have truly come together to create an opportunity from this tragedy."

The work that James Cross and his partners have done to help establish the scholarship is a testament to how John Little’s life has given hope to others even in tragedy.

"John’s legacy will live on through the future of others for many years to come." Farley said.

The scholarship states that candidates must "be interested in serving his/her community, possess the personality and drive to succeed and join a cohort of nurturing learners and future support networks."

John Little would have been awarded that scholarship without hesitation.

Do you know of an attorney or law firm that has been active in the community or has made significant charitable contributions? The outreach section of the NCBA website is designed to highlight these efforts. Contact Amber Smith, Assistant Director of Communications for Community Outreach and Social Media for the NCBA, at asmith@ncbar.org.