After a relentless search spanning over twenty years, a woman finally uncovered the burial place of her missing father, just a short distance from her residence. Lovetta Little-Smith, aged 55 and a certified nursing assistant in Houston, had been haunted by the disappearance of her father, Almond Gene Little, at the age of 49 in 1999. The quest for answers intensified in 2021, with media coverage, billboards, and support from the Texas Center for the Missing aiding Lovetta in her pursuit.
Recently, detectives confirmed the identity of Lovetta’s father by examining old cemetery records, revealing that he had passed away a year after he went missing. Despite this bittersweet revelation, Lovetta is determined to continue helping other families in similar situations and encourages them to maintain hope.
“In 1999, I last saw my father, Almond Gene Little, in Houston, Texas,” Lovetta shared. “His disappearance sparked a long search journey for our family.” The emotional turmoil began when Lovetta was 30 years old, and she didn’t report her father missing until 2011 due to the complexities surrounding his vanishing. Despite not being legally married, Lovetta’s mother, Lovie Sneed, 72, had a relationship with Little that ended when Lovetta was young.
Partnering with the Texas Center for the Missing in Houston, Lovetta’s efforts gained momentum. Through media appearances and community initiatives, her father’s story reached a wider audience, including features on news channels and billboards across Houston.
Lovetta authored a book titled “Dear Dad” to express her feelings and document the milestones her father missed during his absence. Now a mother of three herself, Lovetta received a crucial breakthrough in November when a detective from the Missing Persons unit contacted her with potential leads.
Confirmation of her father’s identity required a thorough examination of archived cemetery records, leading to the discovery that Little had passed away on September 4, 2000, at Doctors Hospital in Houston. Throughout her search, Lovetta received tips from neighbors, including one who mentioned that her father was hospitalized prior to his death.
Despite the emotional toll of the decades-long search, Lovetta remains committed to helping families in similar situations. She plans to collaborate with the Texas Center for the Missing to offer support and guidance to others searching for their missing loved ones.
“I am dedicated to assisting others in similar situations, encouraging them to never lose hope,” Lovetta affirmed.