Dorie Millard Little was born on February 10, 1952 in Hertford, NC to Willie Alfred and Susie Elloitt Little. The youngest of two boys, he graduated from Perquimans County Union School (Winfall, NC) in 1970. That same year, he arrived in Durham, NC, the city that would become his forever home, to attend North Carolina Central University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in 1974.

After graduating, Dorie began working in telecommunications at Northern Telecom as a project engineer, using his art degree and technical skills to design C.A.D. drawings for telecommunications software and server rooms. He retired in 2007 after a long, successful career that not only allowed him to provide for his family but also travel the world, including all 50 states, Canada, Central America, the Virgin Islands, Europe and Asia.

Dorie met the love of his life, Phyllis (Johnson), in November 1977. They were later married on September 16, 1978 at a small ceremony at his mother-in-law’s home in Durham, NC by the Rev. Dr. W. T. Bigelow (deceased), their family pastor and friend to Phyllis’ step-father, Richard Murphy (deceased). They were blessed two years later with their daughter, Tanisa Ann. Being a husband, father, and providing for his family was the greatest joy of Dorie’s life. Most Saturday mornings, you would see him outside doing yardwork with Tanisa either on his shoulders or playing in the driveway nearby.

Extremely intelligent and well-read, Dorie was always learning and imparting his knowledge into his daughter, especially when it came to music. He enjoyed cooking, grilling, photography, and drawing. He loved sports, especially the Kansas City Chiefs, Golden State Warriors, and Duke Blue Devils. Although they had different teams, he enjoyed his weekly chats with brother-in-law, Nelson, about the various games that occurred that week. An impeccable since of direction, Dorie loved travelling and would take his wife and daughter on weekend excursions to see North Carolina and the surrounding states. He would often join his brother-in-law, Nelson, to take his mother-in-law, Gertrude, fishing. He also enjoyed taking cruises with his wife and family friends, Lynwood and Jane Smith.

Dorie is survived by his wife of 47 years, Phyllis Ann (Johnson) Little, a native of Loris, SC, and his daughter, Tanisa Ann Little of Durham, NC; first cousin, Leamus (Ban) Etheridge and his wife Doris Etheridge of Edenton, NC; mother-in law Gertrude M. Harris (Savannah, GA); sister-in-law Diana Sanders of Charlotte, NC; brother-in-law Nelson Johson and wife Gloria Johnson of Savannah, GA; sister-in-law Annie Elizabeth (Mable) Boyd and husband Clindear Boyd of Summerville, SC; brother-in law Marc Terrance (Terry) Murphy, Sr. of Durham, NC; nephews Willie Johnson III, Anthony Cornell Johnson, Jermaine Johnson (wife Melody Johnson), Timothy Gause, Kim Boyd, Corey Boyd, Antonio Johnson, Keith Johnson, and Marc Terrance Murphy, Jr.; nieces Katrina Gause Washington (husband Joseph Washington), Janice Johnson Martin (husband Ed Martin) and Camessia Boyd (fiancé Dwayne Malloy); and a number of great-grand nephews and nieces, whom he loved very much.

He was preceded in death by his father, Willie Alfred Little, mother, Susie Elloitt Little, and brother John Willie Little; father-in law Willie Johnson Sr; brothers-in-law Willie Johnson Jr and Ricardo Murphy; nephew Bruce Gause, and niece, Kasie Sanders.

A true man of God, giving his life to Christ at an early age, he believed in living by the Word. He and his wife Phyllis worshipped at Greater St. Paul Baptist Church, under the leadership of Rev. Dr. W. T. Bigelow and, later, at Union Baptist Church, under the leadership of Rev. Dr. Prince R. Rivers.

Dorie was loved by his family and friends and will be greatly missed. His family request that, for those who are able, to donate to the Duke Cancer Institute in his name.

Funeral Arrangements:
Funeral Service: Friday, April 25, 2025 | Visitation Service starts at 11:00 am | Funeral Service at 12:00 pm.

Place of Service: Union Baptist Church 904 N Roxboro St Durham NC 27701

Cemetery: Glennview Memorial Park

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation on behalf of Dorie Little to the Duke Cancer Institute.

Website for donation: gifts.duke.edu