Vernie Lee Little, 86, Lester, W.Va., died Tuesday at Heartland of Beckley in Beckley, W.Va., following a lengthy illness.

Born in Grayson County, Va., he was the son of the late Ambrose and Dorothy Roop Little.

He had spent most of his life in Tazewell, Va., and was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II. He was a coal miner and foreman for Poca Fuel Company. He was a member of the Protestant faith.

Survivors include two daughters, Jeanne Darlene Varvel and husband Rus, Fillmore, and Suzie Little of Doran, Va.; two sons, Donald Lee Little and wife Lola, Hillsboro, Ind., and John A. Little, Lebanon, Va.; five sisters, Reba Hurley, Rockville, Va., Mayleen Puckett, Greencastle, Nora Lee Horn, Cedar Bluff, Va., Pauline Mazmanion, London, Ky., and Barbara Vick, Bellville, Mich.; three brothers, Arthur Little, Baptist Valley, Va., and Bill Little and Harold Little, both of Bellville, Mich.; 11 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Sara Mattie "Buck" Little, three brothers, Earl, John and Darrell Little; and one daughter, Karen Ann Little.

Funeral services will be conducted at 1 p.m. Saturday at Hurst-Scott Funeral Home Chapel, Tazewell, Va., with Pastor Conn Edwards officiating. Interment will follow at Grandview Memory Gardens in Bluefield, Va.

Visitation is 6-9 p.m. today at the funeral home.