Mrs. Ekra Jewel Little, 75, of Elkhart, passed away peacefully at Elkhart General Hospital on Thursday, November 5, 2020 at 3:08 am, following an extended illness. Lovingly known as "Ick" by her kids and grandkids, Ekra was born on November 30, 1944 in McDowell, KY to the late Walter and Elsie Owens, and is preceded in death by her husband, Willis Little.

Surviving are her children Dwayne Little of Somerset, KY, Robert Little of Glen Burnie, MD and Debra (Jon) Houck of Osseo, MI; sister Berta Christle of Elkhart; grandchildren Nicole Little, Adam, Anthony and Amanda Wilkins, Joshua and Isaiah Houck, Collette Osborne, Melinda Ragsdale, Kaitlyn Brand and Destiny Loven; great grands Brandon, Quevin, London, Kyree, Amaria, Amelia, Eden, Skylar, Preston, Auston, Paxton, Leland, Leroy, Rocky, Vanessa, Jaden, Rebecca, Miley, Alaney, Bentley, Ethan, Kaitlyn and Courtney; in-laws Harold Wilkins and Clinton Burks, and a host of loving nieces, nephews, cousins and good friends. Besides her husband, she is preceded in death by her daughters Diana Wilkins and Donna Burks; her son Anthony Owens; and granddaughter Erica Burks.

Billings Funeral Home and Cremation Services are hosting a brief gathering of family and friends for Ekra on Friday, November 13, 2020 from 2 to 3 pm. A graveside service will follow at 3 pm at Prairie Street Cemetery. Pastor Jeremy Sarber will officiate.

Ekra was a devout Christian lady who loved spending time with her family and friends. She loved travelling back and forth to Kentucky to visit friends and family, and would always pay a visit to her hometown church, the Wheelwright Freewill Baptist Church, and tell them all about her friends she made in Elkhart at the Willowdale Church of Christ.

Family meals were the foundation of her favorite type of get-togethers, and she would spend all morning cooking huge breakfasts or brunchs; carefully making sure there was plenty of food to go around. She also loved playing bingo with her late daughter Donna on Saturday nights, as well as visiting the local casinos and playing the lottery whenever she could. She did move back to the Kentucky area in the early 1990's but had returned some time ago due to  health concerns of her late husband.

Donations may be given in Ekra's memory to the charity of one's choice. Thank you for your interest in Ekra's life story.

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