Roberta Goforth Pierce Little, 84, resident of Maple Leaf Health Care, Statesville, NC, died on Nov 7, 2017, with family by her side. Roberta was born in Statesville on April 30, 1933 to the late Melvin Curtis (M.C.) Goforth and Berta Williams Goforth. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brothers Melvin L. Goforth and J. Frank Goforth, as well as sister-in-law Doris Goforth, a niece, June Goforth Hankins and special nephew, Morgan Goforth, and former husband, Coite H. Little.

Roberta attended Statesville High School and graduated from Troutman High School in 1952. She also attended Mitchell Community College. She was involved in a number of civic organizations, such as Statesville Business & Professional Women’s Club, Eastern Star, and Civitan International, of which she served in various local, regional and national positions, including President of the Statesville Noon Civitan Club.

Roberta is survived by her children, Ronald F. Pierce and wife, Penny, of Olin, NC; Geoffrey H. Little and wife, Sharon Fitzgerald, of Cary, NC; Katrina Little Maddrey and husband, Roland, of Mooresville, NC; and Nelson C. Little, of Statesville, NC. She is also survived by her sister-in-law Faye Mills Goforth, her nephew Steven C. Goforth (Nancy), her grandchildren, Joshua B. Pierce, Grayson Hankins Pierce, Jarod F. Little, Marin Johanna Donovan (Patrick), Kathryn G. Maddrey, John M. Maddrey, James P. Maddrey, niece Kim Goforth Simpson (Richard) and nephew Curtis Goforth (Jennifer).

Roberta’s career path took many directions. She was involved in several aspects of the automobile industry, beginning with her father’s auto dealership, Goforth Motor Company. She assisted Larry Hedrick when he started the Statesville Auto Auction. She operated the Statesville License Tag Office for many years, and was office manager for the Charlotte City Club and Southern Imports auto dealership. She earned her insurance license and her funeral directors’ license, helping families through Nicholson Funeral Home. She ended her career with accounting and tax preparation.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, November 18, 2017, from 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. in the fellowship hall at Christ Boulevard United Methodist Church, 1947 E Broad St, Statesville, NC. Special memories will be shared at 3:30 for anyone wishing to participate.

The family wishes to thank the staff of Maple Leaf Care Center for their incredible patience, understanding and care during Roberta’s time with them, and especially to Dr. Carla Pence who patiently went above and beyond in her treatment and care of Roberta, especially in the last years of her life.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to any organization the donor chooses. Final arrangements were handled compassionately by Carolina Cremation (www.CarolinaCremation.com). The family also expresses heartful thanks to all who knew and loved Roberta in her life and assisted Roberta in her final years.