Sherry Marie Little, née Reeves, 79, of Gridley, California, passed away peacefully in

her sleep on May 25, 2026. She was born on August 23, 1946, at the Stork Retreat in

Gridley to Robert and Florence (née English) Reeves. At 19, she married her high

school sweetheart, and together they shared 61 years of marriage. More than anything,

Sherry was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, and friend who poured her love

into the people around her. She is survived by her beloved husband, Brent Carter Little;

her children, Brian Little and Bethany (George) Johnson; her grandchildren, Cayenne

Johnson, Ginger Johnson, George Wesley Johnson IV (“Bodi”), and Sage Johnson; and

Brian’s longtime partner, Elizabeth Petteys, and her daughter, Alexandra Petteys.

Sherry was known for her fun sense of style, infectious laugh, iconic hairstyles, love of

Diet Pepsi and dogs (especially Gracie and Rocky) and the kind of patience that

seemed to have no end. She was hardworking, strong, and rarely complained. She

found joy in going to concerts, reading mystery novels, traveling, collecting antique

furniture and salt and pepper shakers, shopping, giving thoughtful gifts, and spending

time with family and friends. Her grandchildren were among the greatest joys of her life,

and she especially loved watching them perform. She also had many nieces and

nephews, as well as “adopted” nieces and nephews, whom she loved like her own. The

memories she made with them over the years were among the many treasures of her

life.

For many years, Sherry worked with children as a teacher’s aide in the Gridley School

District. The love she gave and the difference she made stayed with her students long

after they left her classroom, as shown by the many cards, letters, and graduation

announcements she continued to receive over the years. She also spent many years

working for various doctors as a dispensing optician. But every summer, she became

“La Patrona” in the family’s peach orchard, where she managed the harvest crew with

the same strength, humor, and grit that defined so much of her life.

A viewing will be held at Gridley-Block Funeral Chapel, 679 Ohio Street, Gridley,

California 95948, on Thursday, June 4, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. A Celebration of Life will

follow at 11:00 a.m. at the Walter G. Little Pavilion, located behind the Liberty Ward

Chapel at 1259 French Avenue, Gridley, California 95948. Sherry will be interred at

Gridley-Biggs Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations to Far Northern Regional

Center in Chico, in honor of Sherry’s love for and work with children with autism and

other developmental disabilities. www.farnorthernrc.org/about-us/donate or call (530)

222-4791.

For those wishing to send flowers, the family recommends Elegante’ Petals in Yuba City

at (530) 674-2467.