Veola (Barnum) Little

VeOla Barnum Little, born April 2, 1948 in Caliente, NV to Ashel Merrill Barnum and Iva Reber Barnum. VeOla was the youngest of three children. She grew up in Pioche, went to Pioche Elementary School and attended Lincoln Co. High School. While in High School she was in show choir, played the drums and participated in Girl State. She graduated in 1966 and was the Valedictorian of her class. She was very active in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She participated in the Church Young Women’s Program where she completed and earned many certificates including the Young Women Honor Bee which was no small task. VeOla worked at Swallow’s Drug store during High School and for a few months after; then went on to work at the bank as a teller. VeOla had a high school sweetheart, Robert Earl Little, who she fell in love with and married in 1967. They would live in Pioche for the next few years and welcome their first child, Chad in 1968 and then their second child VeEtta, in 1969. Our family moved around for jobs and opportunities the next few years. We settled in Elsinore, UT in the late 70’s. In 1980, our family was sealed in the Manti, UT Temple for time and all eternity. In 1984 we welcomed our little sister, Iva Loretta, into our family. Loretta may have been a surprise to us, but mom always said she knew another baby would come in time and was not surprised at all. In 1987 our family moved back to Pioche, NV and later to Tonopah and back to Pioche in the 1990’s. Mom and Dad were very active in our Church. They both worked diligently together to raise us, teach us, and created a fun, safe, environment full of love and support. Mom served in the Primary and Young Women presidency and as a Primary and Relief Society teacher for many years. Mom enjoyed putting together photo albums, crocheting, quilting, sewing – even dresses for a dance, crafts, baking, playing the piano, gardening and was always ready to give a helping hand to those in need. Mom loved to plan family game nights. We played Boggle, Aggravation, Chinese checkers and a little poker; though the bets were never high with our plastic white, red and blue poker chips. We always had a fun time. Many laughs were had when Dad would try to cheat and Mom would catch him! She would say he couldn’t play if he cheated, but she never did kick him out of the games. We made homemade ice cream as a family treat. Mom always made the best comfort food. She kept a nice tidy home where everything had its place, but everyone was always welcome. Mom was always at our school and church activities to cheer us on and help us out. Mom will be greatly missed. She is survived by her husband Robert, three children – Chad (Debbie) Little, VeEtta (Dick) Cameron, and Loretta (Monte) Valencia. Five grandchildren, two great grandchildren and has one great grandchild on the way. Her sister Rosetta Wallace, Brother Nolan (Barbara) Barnum, many nieces and nephews and Mom and Dad’s little dog Brutus. We love you Mom and thank you for your example and love for us. We know you are with Heavenly Father and we will all be together again one day. Graveside services were held on Saturday, February 7, 2015 in the Pioche Cemetery under the direction of the Southern Nevada Mortuary.