2025 -- H 5238

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LC000953

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2025

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

EXTENDING DEEPEST CONDOLENCES ON THE PASSING OF VIOLET ROSE LITTLE

     Introduced By: Representatives Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Diaz, Chippendale, Slater,
Perez, Bennett, Edwards, Alzate, and Casimiro

     Date Introduced: January 30, 2025

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, This House was deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Violet Rose

Little, the beloved mother of our friend and former colleague, the Honorable Anastacia Williams,

and Rigoberto Cano Little. She was blessed with five grandchildren, Lisa Williams, Dionne

Williams, Jonnathan Herrera, Angelo Herrera and Carlita Little, and four great-grandchildren,

Hev’n McNeil, Kassidy Herrera, Londyn Ferrara and Swayze Ferrara; and

     WHEREAS, Mrs. Little, affectionately known by family and friends as “Rose”, was born

in Silver City, in the segregated Black communities on the Atlantic side of the United States-

controlled Canal Zone, in the Republic of Panama. She was the daughter of the late Arnold

Robinson and Eva Adams Robinson, who had emigrated from Jamaica, West Indies to Cuba, and

then to Panama. She was the sister of Johnathan Robinson, and the late Myrtle Hartley, Edna

Robinson, Melvin Robinson, Hazel Patrick, Christopher Robinson, and Frederick Robinson; and

     WHEREAS, After graduating from the Rainbow City Occupational High School in the

Canal Zone, Mrs. Little met and married Benjamin Little and the couple immigrated to the United

States and made their home in the City of Providence. She enrolled at the University of Rhode

Island and earned her Bachelor's degree in Economics and later, a Master’s degree in Agency

Counseling from Rhode Island College; and

     WHEREAS, For many years, Mrs. Little was employed at Rhode Island College and

upon retirement, volunteered in one-on-one counseling at certain homes, tutored at the Rhode

Island Food Bank, and counseled single mothers at the McAuley Village; and

     WHEREAS, Always active in the community and with her church, Mrs. Little was a

member of Hood Memorial A.M.E Zion, where she served as a Deaconess, Trustee, and Steward,

and was also responsible for bread baskets for those in need. In addition, she was the Special

Projects Manager and assisted with grants for the church, and was on the board of the Dexter

Donation Trust for the City of Providence; and

     WHEREAS, Mrs. Little continually gave her time, energies and talents to her faith and

altruistic endeavors. While a member of the Ebenezer Baptist Church, she volunteered helping

with the preparation of all the food, vegetables, etc. for the needy, along with Elaine Isom, who

kept everyone on their toes; and

     WHEREAS, Rose Little, a wife, a mother, a grandmother, and great-grandmother, will be

forever remembered for “the twinkle in her eye”, her vibrancy, and the abundance of good deeds

she bestowed on others throughout her lifetime; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby

extends deepest condolences on the passing of Violet Rose Little; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to the Honorable Anastacia Williams and Family,

and Rigoberto Cano Little and Family.

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