Mard Ella (Little) Nabors

October 18, 1931 - June 10, 2017

Mard Ella Nabors was born October 18, 1931 to the union of the late Sherrod White and Emma Bell (Clark) White in Prairie Point, MS. Surrounded by family, she went home to be with the Lord, Saturday, June 10, 2017. She was a God-fearing woman that loved the Lord. She received the Lord as her personal Savior at an early age at Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Cliftonville, MS. Later in life, after moving to Michigan, she joined The Galilee Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Rev. Mabry Gardner. She sang with the Inspirational Choir and was a faithful member until her illness (Dementia) prevented her participation. She was united in marriage to Johnnie B. Little and later to Willie Nabors. She retired from The Upjohn Company in 1991 after working there for many years. She loved hosting family gatherings and cooking. She was known for her macaroni and cheese, sweet potato pies and lemonade. She also loved gardening and was the "#1 Fan" watching her family's sporting events. Although Mard only had a third grade education, she had a quest for learning, and in the late 90's pursued further education through the Kalamazoo Literacy Council. There she worked with Dr. Yvonne Conners and later with Dr. Judy Kepler and successfully completed six levels. This gave her the confidence to author her life story, "With God on My Side", as told to her granddaughter, Candace Green. Mard is preceded in death by her father, Sherrod White; mother, Emma Bell (Clark) White; daughter, Nettie B. Martin; 2 sons, Kerry Lorenzo and Andrew Little; her sisters Isabell Stevenson; and Ida Ruth Newman; brothers Wilford, Cleotha, Sherrod Jr., Willie, David, Amos Sr., Rev. Nathaniel White Sr. and her maternal and paternal grandparents. Mard is survived by daughter, Geneva (Melvin) Jackson; 4 sons, Robert (Jackie) Little, Albert Little, John Little, Orlando (Marvita) Little all of Kalamazoo; son-in-law, Matthew Martin Jr. of Kalamazoo; 2 Daughters-In-Love, Nancy Buchanan and Jill Little; many, many grand, great grand and great, great grandchildren; stepchildren, Lageta Little, Demeetrius Little, Robert Sam (Rhonda) Little of Kalamazoo, MI; 1 brother, and 2 sisters, Robert (Minnie) White, Augusta White, Quince Ella (Willie) Tate; sisters-in-law, Willie White and Bertha White; a host of nieces and nephews; a special daughter, Brenda Carter; special cousins, Rev. Willie Mae Pierson and Viola Bentley; a special sister, Judy Kepler; a special son, Edmond "Sonny Boy" Evans; special friends, Mrs. Mossy Dickerson, Mrs. Lillie Daniels, Mrs. Lorraine Tucker and Mrs. Thelma Moss.