Mary Alice Earnhardt

Mary Alice Little Earnhardt went to be with her Heavenly Father on Tuesday, May 2, 2023.
Mary Alice (also known as “Mom” by many) was born in Statesville, NC on March 17, 1931, to the late Jack Edmond Little, Sr., and the late Madeline Poston Little. She graduated from Statesville High School in 1949. According to her, she went to school mainly to play basketball…… then the Herb Sampsel Gym was built the year after she graduated… tough luck!
In her early years she worked at the State Theatre, J.J. Newberry 5 and 10, and Southern Bell as it was known then. She was secretary for Tom H. Hutchins, Architect, for 25 years before retiring in 1990. In 1998 she and her husband began making desserts for their son’s restaurant, Ol’ Bob’s BBQ in Statesville. She continued doing this until she was 85 years old.
She has now been reunited with the love of her life and husband, Robert Sloan Earnhardt, Sr., who preceded her in death on April 4, 2019. They were happily married for 66 years. She and Robert met at a square dance in Mooresville, NC, his hometown and were together from then on.
Left to cherish her memory are her daughter, Deborah Earnhardt Rosenbalm (Robert), and her son, Robert Sloan Earnhardt, Jr. (Carol); four grandchildren, Andrew Rosenbalm (Betsy) of Todd, NC, Holly Rosenbalm Mickler (David), of Florida, Ryan Earnhardt (Storm), and Zachary Earnhardt of Statesville. She was blessed with four great-granddaughters, Cora Rosenbalm, Charlotte Rosenbalm, Caroline Rosenbalm, and Sutton Earnhardt. Mary Alice also helped raise her nephew Ken Templeton (Diane) of Florida. She is also survived by a number of nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.
In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by a sister, Rebecca Little Templeton, and two brothers, Jack Edmond Little, Jr. and Bobby Lee Little.
Mary Alice was a faithful member of Pressly Memorial ARP Church in Statesville. She was also a former member of First ARP Church in Statesville.
Funeral Services will be conducted Sunday, May 7, 2023, at 4:00 pm at Pressly Memorial ARP Church, 1914 Wilkesboro Hwy., Statesville, NC 28625 with Pastor Mark Tankersley officiating. Visitation will take place in the church fellowship hall from 2:30 to 3:45 before the funeral. Burial will follow in Oakwood Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Gordon Hospice House, 2347 Simonton Rd., Statesville, NC 28625.
The family of Mary Alice Little Earnhardt would like to thank the staff of Brookdale-Peachtree Senior Living, the nursing staff of 2North at Iredell Memorial Hospital, and the doctors, nurses, and CNAs at the Gordon Hospice House. Mom was blessed to receive love, care, and concern at each of these facilities.
Nicholson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.