Claude Lavern Little

Little River…… Claude Lavern Little, age 87, passed away Thursday, July 17, 2025. Mr. Little was born in Floyd, Kentucky, son of the late Adam and Marie Elaine (Salisbury) Little. He was a member of Wampee Baptist Church where he had served as Deacon for a number of years. Mr. Little retired from the US Navy after 20 years of service. He went on to serve on the USS Toledo CA 133, USS Nautilus (1st nuclear sub) SS(N) 571, USS Scorpion SS(N) 589, the USS DeHaven (DD 727) a Sumner Class Destroyer, and the USS Alexander Hamilton SSB (N) 617 “Blue Crew,” a Lafayette-class ballistic missile submarine, and the USS Henly DD 391 a Bagley-class destroyer, as well as the USS Noxubee (AOG-56), achieving the rank of Chief Petty Officer, and also taught for a time at the Naval Training Center in Great Lakes, Illinois. Mr. Little received four medals while serving in the Navy including Dolphins SSB (N) medal for both the Nautilus and the Scorpion, and a Good Conduct medal, and also received five awards, including the National Defense award. After retiring from the Navy, he settled in Kalamazoo, Michigan, where he became a Master Electrician working for a paper-manufacturing plant, and eventually also taught for a time at the local community college. Mr. Little was predeceased by his wife, Martha Ann (Alford) Little, and three sisters, Thelma Jo Little, Ruby Joyce Salisbury, and Rosealea Tobin. Surviving are: two brothers - Robert R. Little (Toni) of Galesburg, Michigan and Danny L. Little of Plainwell, Michigan; one daughter, Malynda Sue Little of Conway; and one son, Henry Adam Little (Angie) of Mooreshill, Indiana, and three grandchildren, Brittany (Little) Gaines, Jessica (Little) Satchwill, Victoria (Tori) (Littler) Bamberger; and seven great grandchildren, Hayden, and Hailey Gaines; Landon, Caroline, Lincoln, and Taytum Satchwill; and Rhett Bamberger. Funeral services will be held at 2:30 PM Wednesday from Wampee Baptist Church with Rev. Tyler Caines and Dr. Michael Vipperman officiating. Burial will follow in Hillcrest Cemetery. The family will receive friends and family at the funeral home from 4:00 pm until 6:00 pm Tuesday in Conway, SC. Memorials may be sent to Wampee Baptist Church, 9530 Hwy 90, Longs, SC 29568 or to the Disabled American Veterans, 2987 Church Street, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577. Sign an online guestbook at www.goldfinchfuneralhome.com Goldfinch Funeral Home, Conway Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

Claude Lavern Little

May 21, 1938 - July 17, 2025