Vendya Albertyne Lewis Little was born August 3, 1941 to James Andrew Lewis (Chief) and Albertha Hunt Lewis in Newnan, Coweta County, GA. The family later moved to Midway, Liberty County, GA.
After graduating from Liberty County High School she attended Fort Valley State College, Fort Valley, GA. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Health and Physical Education. She moved to Milledgeville, GA and began her career as a High School Health and Physical Education Teacher. In, 1971, she became the Recreation Director with the Georgia Department of Corrections at the Women’s State Prison. While working at the Prison, she became the first black female Deputy Warden in the Georgia Prison System statewide. She also trained two of the three female Wardens in the Georgia Department of Corrections to date. She worked for the Department of Corrections for 31 years. She retired in 2002.
She met and married Eddie Frank Little of Detroit, Michigan in 1985, who preceded her in death.. Also preceding her in death were her parents, and her granddaughter Ashley Nicole Lewis.
She was an active member of Flagg Chapel Baptist Church, in Milledgeville, GA. She loved to sing and was a member of the Choir. She sang in numerous weddings and her rendition of the “The Lord’s Prayer” would bring tears to your eyes.
Vendya was a wonderful free flowing fun-loving spirit. I loved that she lived her life to the fullest. I have to say that I had a very hard time with Vendya’s face. This is the version I am finally accepting after many attempts. I’d like to see a little more joy in the face since the original picture had a softness, but I promise to get better with more and more attempts. NEXT TIME.
