VEDA LITTLE HEADLEY

Veda Little Headley of Clarke County, Virginia passed away on September 26th, 2026.

Born in Overton County, Tennessee in 1930 to Ed and Ruth Little. Veda was married for 60 years to Mack Stuart Headley, Sr., who proceeded her in death in 2005.

Early in her marriage, Veda studied art in Washington, DC. With her natural artistic flair and talents, along with Mack’s cabinetmaking skills, side by side, Veda and Mack built their family business in Clarke County, restoring antiques and building reproductions of high-styled furniture such as Chippendale, Queen Anne and Hepplewhite. Veda’s artistic eye helped Mack develop a line of reproductions that are considered collectibles today. Veda was known in the tri-state area as an “Artist Extraordinaire” for her wide-range of early American Folk Art painting of Tinware, Still-Life’s, Early American Primitive Portraits, Reverse Paintings on Glass and for her skillful restoration of early oil paintings. Veda also painted and decorated a personal writing desk for First Lady, Mrs. Laura Bush, when Mrs. Bush and President George Bush were in the White House. A friend once remarked that Veda is known for “Painting the Shenandoah Valley!”. Her unique style of American Folk-Art is often found on pieces of early Tinware and furniture found in local historic homes, and occasionally seen in antique shops, and now considered collectible works of art in their own right. Later, Veda and Mack together took on house restoration on Winchester houses.

Veda and Mack purchased her beloved farm, Helmley, located in Clarke County in 1956. She has been the farm manager raising cattle and an occasional horse or two along with family pet dogs and cats. Her gardening skills are beautifully reflected in Helmley’s lovely flower gardens consisting of hundreds of exotic daffodils, peonies, poppies, azaleas and boxwoods which have become a magnet for friends, family and bluebirds to enjoy. Nicknamed “Speedy” by her father, Veda didn’t let any grass grow under her feet. Any project she took on was assessed, tackled and usually completed prior to sundown.

Veda was a loving and generous parent, an excellent cook and a highly competitive Bridge player. She would regularly host picnics at Helmley for family and her Bridge Club friends. She was preceded in death by her son, Sam Edward Headley and her siblings - Brothers, Billy Little, Mike Little, Arnold Little, - Sisters - Bernice Hassan, Dora Turner, Glynnell Headley, Georgia Addington, Johnnie Searle, Mattie Sigmond, Amy Little. She is survived by her brother, Bob Little; her children: Mack Stuart Headley, Jr, Gail Headley Farrace, Jeffrey Little Headley; six grandchildren, Keira Darden, Bret Headley, Steven Hamilton, Jr., Eric Hamilton, Abe Headley, Cambria Garman; and nine greatgrandchildren; Avery Darden, Ryder Hamilton, Rocco Hamilton, Isaac Hamilton, Addie Headley, Collin Headley, Samuel Garman, Bennet Headley and Alexander Headley.

The family is planning a “Celebration of Life” which will be held at Helmley on Saturday, October 10th from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. Family and friends are invited and welcome to share their memories of Veda.

             In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions to the Hospice near you in appreciation of their end-of-life care.

Ministry of Comfort Entrusted to

Cartwright Funeral Home

Winchester, VA

cartwrightfuneralhome.com