MEET YOUR WRITER
Kay Little A Look at the History Adventures of Popular Writer by Debbie Neece, Friend & History Partner Born in McAlester, Kay Robinson Little professes to be an “air force brat” because her father served in the Air Force and the family relocated often. After he retired, they settled back in McAlester, where English became her favorite subject and she worked on the school newspaper. She is also the third generation Robinson graduate from McAlester High School. Kay and Harvey Little met in the youth group at McAlester’s First Baptist Church and became good friends, even going on a double date together, but with other dates. They began dating during their sophomore year in college and wed the summer before their senior year. They had a lot in common. As children, they had each visited relatives in Bartlesville and developed a love of the area; Harvey visited his Uncle Sam Couch and Kay her aunts and uncles, Doug and Shirley Drumb and Gilbert and Ruth Weldon. Therefore, when they graduated from East Central University together in May of 1976, they headed to Bartlesville where Harvey accepted a position at Jones & Bryan, CPA’s and Kay became a 4th grade teacher at Copan Elementary School. After the birth of their two sons, Harvey and Kay felt God lead them to homeschool their children. While studying local and state history with her boys, she developed a love of history as the trio visited and explored museums as part of their lesson plans…a love that she then shared by teaching other homeschooled children. Once a teacher, always a teacher and Kay has always been a passionate teacher. When Kay became an empty nester, she volunteered at the Bartlesville Area
Kay captivates her audiences as she shares local, state and U.S. history with all ages, often donning period costumes and exhibiting vintage props. Occasionally her grandchildren join the presentation also.
History Museum and was eventually hired as the Education Coordinator. During her 6½ years at BAHM, she gave history presentations on varied subjects. It was her passions of history and teaching that brought her the opportunity to establish her own business, Little History Adventures.
Kay has been exceptionally generous in collaborating with the Bartlesville Area History Museum in presenting tours and programs. In 2017, BAHM recognized Kay with the Elmer Sark Washington County Historical Preservation award; and in 2019, she was presented the Women of American History Award and Medal from the Bartlesville Daughters of American Revolution. Kay said, “I am passionate about people learning history from primary sources, which also feeds my passion for education, especially Christian education.” And she sets the example as she serves on the boards for BCHEF (local homeschool group), Allied Arts and Humanities Council, Wesleyan Christian School, Bartlesville Community Center Trust and the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute Council. She is also a volunteer schoolmarm for the Little House on the Prairie Museum in Independence, KS and greatly involved at First Wesleyan Church. Harvey and Kay Little are blessed with two sons, two daughters-in-law and three grandchildren, some of whom live in Bartlesville, while others live in Ecuador. Kay and I enjoy writing for the Bartlesville Monthly Magazine readers and I’ve been greatly blessed to have Kay as my “History Partner in Crime.” Just mention “history road trip” and she is ready to travel!
MARCH 2020 | b Monthly
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