Myrna Little

Myrna Gayle (Knupp) Little, 75, of Jackson slipped the bonds of this Earth for her Heavenly home, June 7, 2020 at home surrounded by her children and just a few of her closest friends. She was born March 27, 1945 in Anniston, Missouri to Curtis H. and Amy E. Emory Knupp.

Myrna was best known for her love of family and friends; she was the epitome of a “servant leader”. Her faith in Jesus Christ was the firm foundation of her life and was evidenced in the way she lived her life.

Caring for the needs of others was Myrna’s mission. Her early career found her working with John Terrill in the back office of John and Adele’s home in Affton, Missouri. Soon joined by Jack Terrill, the threesome built what is now J.W. Terrill Insurance, a Marsh & McLennan Agency, headquartered in St. Louis, MO. Myrna always took such pride in what those years of dedication and commitment grew to become.

Locally, Myrna worked for American Family Insurance. Agents, Ken Voepel and Ken Oberlohr, were always blessed to have Myrna caring for the needs of their thousands of insured clients. Always service with a smile, a listening ear, compassionate heart, and a solution to every problem she could calm the storms of life for many in crisis. Both Ken and Kenny became family and after retirement she remained close to them and their families.

A love of church was taught by her parents. She served in church her entire life. Whether at New Bethel Baptist church in Charleston, Missouri, Maplewood Baptist Church or Butler Hill Baptist Church in St. Louis, and at her beloved Illmo Baptist Church in Scott City one would find Myrna being a servant. Cooking meals, church treasurer, planning events, leading the children’s choir, singing in the choir, playing cymbals or hand bells, and loving people were some of her favorite church activities. A “behind the scenes” person, but always present.

Myrna was the baby sister in her family. Her siblings were significantly older than she as Myrna was an unexpected blessing to the Knupp household. Her brothers (Charles and Donald) and sister (Marilyn) doted on her; she was their “baby”. Rides in bicycle baskets, later being along as Marilyn dated, and then caring for their parents together they were always close.

She had some “honorary” sisters and brothers along life’s journey as well. She held her relationships with Judy and Ken Voepel as close as a birth sibling. Ken and Judy opened the world to Myrna as they would allow her and Marilyn to travel with their family on many American Family “All American” trips. Some of Myrna’s greatest memories were made on these trips: Acapulco, Mexico, Hawaii, San Diego, and San Francisco. Additional trips were made as well: Banff Canada, Gatlinburg, TN, Colorado…Myrna, Marilyn, Judy, and sometimes Ken, Eric, and Anne (Judy and Ken’s children). Myrna had many other honorary siblings through her church family…too many to attempt to list, but you know who you are.

A great pride in life was being a mother to Leigh Ann and Michael David, and her honorary son Todd Alan. However, the greatest pride was in being “Grams” to Mary (Maggie), Owen, Addison, and Isaac James and honorary grandchildren Heather, Cole Michael, and Zach; and Grams to her “fur babies” Farrah Luna and Kentucky (AKA “Tucky”). Being Mom and Grams were her greatest strengths. She was the glue of our family; the lessons, and spiritual legacy, she has instilled in us make us who we are today. She will be greatly missed!

Myrna was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Donald, grandson Dylan Michael Don, honorary grandson Cole Michael West, and dear friend Ken Voepel.

Survivors include daughter, Leigh Ann Hampton; son(s), Michael David (Andrea) Little and Todd Alan (Renee) Strong; grandchildren Mary, Owen, Addison, Isaac James; honorary grandchildren Heather (Brantley) Byrd and Zachary Strong; brother Charles Howard (Phyllis) Knupp; sister Marilyn Glenn; long-time spouse Jerry Little; cherished friends Judy Voepel (Eric, Ann, and Chloe), Ken (Carol) Oberlohr (Kristin and Mary Claire); numerous nieces, nephews, and beloved friends.

Services will be held Tuesday, June 16 ^th , at Cape First Church in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. Visitation will begin at 10:00 am followed by a Celebration of Life service at 11:00 am, and a second visitation from 12pm-1pm at Cape First Church 254 South Silver Springs Road.

In lieu of flowers please consider making donations to the following: Lynwood Christian Academy 2911 Kage Road Cape Girardeau, MO 63701 or to Southeast Palliative Care & Hospice #10 Doctor’s Park Cape Girardeau, MO 63701.

A special thank you to Regina Tucker-Frazier and each hospice nurse, social worker, and chaplain that helped make this process as tolerable as possible.