James Harold Little, a longtime pharmacist who served the Stanly County community with kindness and compassion for more than 50 years, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, with his loving family by his side. He was 90 when he was called home to heaven to spend eternity with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

A native of Oakboro, Little co-owned and operated the Davis-Little Drug Company with Jim Davis, where he developed a reputation and legacy as a quintessential hometown pharmacist who not only filled prescriptions, but also built deep, caring relationships with the friends and neighbors he served. Even after retiring from the local drug store, Little continued to serve the community by working for national pharmaceutical chains until his mid-70s.

Outside of the pharmacy, Little’s life was anchored by his deep devotion to his faith and to his family. Throughout his life, Little’s faithfulness to the Lord was expressed through his service to the local church. He was a member of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church in Oakboro, and he previously served as both a deacon and a Sunday School teacher at First Baptist Church of Oakboro, First Baptist Church of Midland and Fairview Baptist Church in Albemarle.

Little’s passion for the gospel extended into his decades of service with the Stanly South Camp of The Gideons International, working to distribute Bibles with a belief that God’s Word could change a life forever. He was also active in prison ministry. In all of his endeavors, Little lived his life by the biblical principle of putting others before himself and valuing their needs above his own.

A lifelong learner with a spirit of fun and adventure, Little was a licensed pilot who enjoyed the freedom of the skies in the cockpit of an airplane, the open road on his motorcycle or the quiet strategy of a game of checkers. He attended Oakboro High School and earned his undergraduate degree from N.C. State University and his pharmacy degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Little also proudly served his country in the U.S. Army.

Born July 20, 1935, Little was the youngest son of the late John Luther Little and Gertie Whitley Little. In addition to his parents, Little was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 62 years, Irene Barbee Little; two brothers, J. Clegg Little and Marvin Little; a son-in-law, Dwayne Nance; and two great-grandchildren, Jeremiah Nance and Joel Nance.

Little is survived by two daughters: Monica Efird and her husband, David, of Sparta; Evette Orcutt and her husband, David, of Wendell; four grandchildren: Katie Nance; David James Orcutt and his wife, Samantha; Dillion Nance and his fiancée, Haley; and Daniel Orcutt and his fiancée, Lauren; and two great-grandchildren: Iveigh Nance and Everson Nance.

The family will receive friends from 12:30 PM – 1:45 PM on Monday, April 13, 2026, at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church in Oakboro. The funeral service will follow at 2:00 PM in the church, officiated by Rev. Shad Hicks. Burial will follow at Oakboro Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made in the following ways: CARE Cafe, P.O. Box 1022, Albemarle, NC 28002, where Little enjoyed fellowship, companionship and compassionate care over the past few years; or to Gideons International South Stanly Camp, P.O. Box 182, Albemarle, NC 28002.

Arrangements are through Hartsell Funeral Home in Albemarle.