Anita Madge Reid Littlefield, 1930–2024
Anita Madge Reid Littlefield was born June 13, 1930, near Soldier Mound, Texas, which was four miles north of Spur, Texas. Anita passed away peacefully in her sleep the morning of April 27, 2024, at Library of Legacies in Idalou, Texas.
Anita’s parents were John Wylie Reid (1897–1945) and Ellie Ann Springer Reid (1907–1996). Anita was the middle child of seven (five sisters and one brother). When Anita was six years old, the Reid family moved to the Peaceful Hill Community about 15 miles west of Spur, and about three miles north of Red Mud Community and Cemetery. Throughout Anita’s entire life she was dedicated to faith and family. The first church she attended for worship and various social gatherings was the Red Mud Church close to her home.
Anita also started school at six years old in a oneroom school at the Peaceful Hill School Building. Anita attended this school until fifth grade when the Peaceful Hill School consolidated with Spur Schools. She attended Spur Schools until she graduated high school in 1948, with about 60 classmates in her graduating class.
Anita’s father died when she was 15 years old, and her mother bought a new home in Spur, where Anita moved with four of her sisters. The two oldest siblings already lived away from home. At this time Anita and her family started attending First Baptist Church of Spur. In the fall of 1947 during a revival and a moving evangelical sermon by Pastor Melvin Rathael, Anita gave her heart to Jesus and became a faithful Christian for the rest of her life. Pastor Rathael also baptized her at First Baptist Church of Spur. Anita loved Spur High School and had many friends. Anita had beautiful handwriting even at the age of 93! She was also a great speller. It was difficult to win a game of Scrabble against her. Anita attributed both of these skills to her favorite English teachers, Rena and Florene Noack. Anita’s least favorite subject was algebra, so she was amazed when her daughter became a math teacher.
Anita began working during high school after school hours and on weekends selling phonograph records at Brashear’s Store in Spur for a wage of 10 cents/hour. After graduation, she worked full time (10 hours a day, six days a week) at three drug stores: Palace Drug Store, City Drug Store and Red Front Drug. When she got off in the evenings, it was dark and several long blocks to walk home. Mr. John Hazlewood, the Spur city constable, would give Anita rides home with his horse and delivery wagon. Anita’s small earnings (although she had gotten a raise to 15 cents per hour) were given or divided with her mother to help with family expenses.
In the spring of 1948, a handsome soldier newly returned from duty in South Korea and currently a student at Texas Technological College named R.C. Littlefield became infatuated with the “cute little brunette in charge of the soda fountain” at the Red Front Drug.
Anita decided to move to Lubbock late in 1949 after her mother remarried. She took a bookkeeping job with Lubbock Pipe and Metal. The rooming house where she lived was within walking distance of her job, but nevertheless, R.C. picked her up and took her to work and picked her up at the end of most workdays.
Anita and R.C. decided to make their courtship permanent on May 16, 1950. Since New Mexico, unlike Texas, had no three-day waiting period after obtaining a marriage license, they decided to go to Clovis, N.M., to get married. Anita and R.C. contacted the First Baptist Church of Clovis and, fortunately, the pastor, B.P. Maddox, and two lady witnesses made themselves available late on a Tuesday for the marriage ceremony held in the church sanctuary. Anita and R.C. lived in Lubbock, Texas, for the rest of her life.
Soon after marrying, Anita changed jobs and worked for Southwestern Bell Telephone Company as a telephone operator, a job that she loved. But something she loved more was having a baby. Anita quit her job when she found out she was pregnant with her first child, Robert Charles Littlefield III, born in 1952. Her second child was a daughter, Jo Beth Littlefield Horney, born in 1957. Anita had four grandchildren: Suzan Celeste Horney of Lubbock, Texas, Ellie Kate Littlefield Studdard (Cameron) of Austin, Texas, Laura Marie Littlefield of Colorado Springs, Colorado, and Robert Charles Littlefield IV (Rob and Kondi) of Kemah, Texas. Anita had one great-granddaughter, Molly Quinn Studdard of Austin, Texas.
Staying true to their Christian faith, Anita and R.C. joined Southcrest Baptist Church in April 1955. Anita was an active church member for 69 years. While faithfully attending Sunday School classes, Anita served in the church kitchen making dinners on Wednesday nights for many years. She also worked in the church nursery (bed babies and toddlers) on Sundays for many years until she took a job in the church office greeting and helping church members for over 50 years.
Anita and R.C. enjoyed many travels to states with close friends and family, including Hawaii, Alaska, Nevada, New Mexico, South Dakota, and a few Midwest and eastern states. Niagara Falls was a special treat. Some of their most enjoyable trips were with dear church friends to Ruidoso and Cloudcroft, New Mexico, and to Colorado for fishing, golfing, and a little camping. Their most exciting trip was one to Israel with their church. Anita and R.C. made many wonderful memories!
Preceding Anita in death are four siblings: a brother, John William Reid, in 2000, a sister, Doris Evelyn Reid Page, in 2007, a sister, Betty Jo Reid Vernon, in 2020, and a sister, Peggy Lou Reid Gibson, in 2021. Anita is survived by her loving and devoted husband, R.C., and two sisters, Sandra Gwynelle Reid Haws of Arlington, Texas, and Rebecca Ann Reid Melton (James) of Lubbock, Texas.
Anita will be missed and never forgotten by her entire family and her many lifelong church friends.
Anita’s memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, May 7, 2024 at Southcrest Baptist Church, 3801 S. Loop 289, Lubbock, Texas.
Viewing will be 9:00-10:00 on Tuesday, May 7 at the church prior to service.
