Vicki L. Little

Clearwater - Vicki (Phillips) Little passed away peacefully in Clearwater, FL on October 22, 2018, surrounded by her loved ones. She is survived by her husband of 58 years, John Patrick Little, their children Bryan (Stefanie) Little of Elkton, MD, Brandon (Jennifer) Little and Nicole (Calvin) Townsend all of Lakeland, FL, grandchildren Bradley Little, Robert Boyd, Zane, Emma, Tess and Corban Little, and sister Terri Phillips. She was preceded in death by her father and mother, son Bradley Jon, sister Vivian Phillips and brothers Larry and Nicky Phillips. Vicki grew up in St. Clair, MI and attended the local high school where she met her soulmate, John. They married in 1960 and moved to Newark, DE where they raised their family and lived for 40 years. Vicki got her Associates Degree in Real Estate from the University of Delaware and was crowned Mrs. Delaware in 1985. She was a constant presence at sporting events including Nottingham Green swim meets, Saint Marks soccer, wrestling and volleyball games. Her first career was as a homemaker and frequent volunteer. She ran the marina at Broomes Island, MD and after moving to Lakeland, FL in 2000 she worked as the Activities Director at Savannah Court Assisted Living facility. After finally retiring, Vicki realized her true calling and became a Guardian Ad Litem with the Polk County/Bartow FL court system which she did for 10 years. She and John had recently retired fully and moved to Clearwater to be closer to the shore that they loved. John and Vicki traveled all of over the world together, including to Australia, many places in Europe, Mexico, Canada, Costa Rica, Cuba, Thailand, Burma, Laos, Quatar & Russia, as well as all over the United States. They spent a year driving across the country in an RV in 1996 and spent a month each year for 22 years sailing through the U.S. & British Virgin Islands as Captain and First Mate of a Barefoot sailboat charter. Vicki was a loving and supportive mother who took great pride in her family’s accomplishments and adored family gatherings and trips. She was a walking miracle in many ways, having been diagnosed with adult onset juvenile diabetes in her 40s. She never let her health interfere with her ability to experience life to its fullest and managed to pack many lifetimes into her 75 years. Her spark and vitality will be sorely missed by all who knew and loved her. May we all take solace from the fact that she did not suffer and left us in the midst of enjoying the outdoors with her beloved John. Vicki’s family would like to thank the kind-hearted staff at Mease Countryside Hospital in Clearwater. Arrangements have been made by Heath Funeral Chapel & Crematory in Lakeland. Visitation will be held on Saturday, November 3, 2018, at 1 pm with a service immediately following at 2 p.m. at the Heath Funeral Chapel located at 328 S. Ingraham Ave., Lakeland, FL 33801. A reception will be held following the services at the Heath Tribute Center next door. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Vicki’s name to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), 26 Broadway, 14th Floor, New York, NY 10004. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.heathfuneralchapel.com