Bishop Shepard Little, 74, prelate of the First Jurisdiction for the Church of God in Christ, succeeded the late Bishop Louis Ford in that position and led the effort to have the former Calumet Expressway renamed the Bishop Louis Henry Ford Freeway.
He was pastor for more than 37 years of the King of Glory Tabernacle Church of God in Christ, 2314 E. 83rd St.
A resident of Chicago’s South Side, he died Wednesday in Little Company of Mary Hospital in Evergreen Park.
Bishop Little came to Chicago from Panola, Ala., in 1929. He had been a member of the faculty of the William Roberts/C.H. Mason Bible Institute of Illinois.
He was elected to succeed the late Bishop Ford as state prelate in 1995. He was subsequently elected chairman of the Coalition of Religious Leaders of Illinois and continued in that position until his death.
“He will be remembered for his humbleness, meekness and generosity to all who came his way,” said Ed McCann, a close personal friend.
Survivors include two sisters and two brothers.
Visitation will be from 3 to 6 p.m. Sunday in the King of Glory Tabernacle Church of God in Christ, 2314 E. 83rd St.
Services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday in St. Paul Church of God in Christ, 4526 S. Wabash Ave.
