Carroll James Little, 96, of Decatur, Illinois, passed away at 10:40 p.m. on Friday, May 7, 2021 at Hickory Point Christian Village in Forsyth, Illinois, where he resided since April of 2018.
Carroll was born April 19, 1925 in West Frankfort, Illinois, to Charles Edgar and Evarena Davis Little. He grew up on his grandparents, James Leonard (aka Buddy) and Allifair Owens Davis' farm in Elk Township, Jackson County, Illinois, just outside the small coal mining town of Dowell.
Carroll was the great-great-great-grandson and great-great-grandson of the first pioneer family, James Davis and son, William, who settled in Elk Prairie Township in about 1818. Elk Prairie was actually the family's third homestead since arriving in Jackson County in 1806.
Carroll became a Christian at an early age and was baptized at Burroughs' Pond in Elk Township west of Dowell. He lived his life demonstrating his love of God through his kindness, caring, love, and tolerance of all people. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Decatur.
Carroll attended Dowell Grade School and Elkville Community High School before being inducted into the military during World War II (June 15, 1943-March 1, 1946). There he was a Seaman 1st Class with the U.S. Navy Seabees, Construction Battalion Maintenance Unit #520 stationed on Guadalcanal in the South Pacific. On Guadalcanal he worked in CBMU headquarters' administration office as a switchboard operator and as a photo lab technician for the base.
Upon returning to the States, Carroll married his high school sweetheart, Doris Louise Valerius, on Oct. 19, 1945 at the Elkville Christian Church. They were married 72½ years prior to her passing on May 18, 2018.
Carroll began his lifelong teaching career in 1947 at Burroughs School, a one-room schoolhouse where his mother, Rena, and her sister, Clydabelle Davis had attended school as children with all their other Davis relatives. He went on to attend Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, majoring in education administration with a minor in science, later completing his master's degree in education.
Carroll taught at Royalton and Du Quoin (Wheatley School) before moving north to Decatur in 1958. Most of his teaching career was spent at Ullrich and Franklin Schools in Decatur.
Carroll was a member of the Illinois Education Association, the National Education Association, Decatur Education Association, and the Decatur Retired Teachers Association. Carroll had a deep love of God, life, family, animals, learning and educating others. He enjoyed many aspects of life including traveling, reading, computers, music, poetry, painting, photography, writing and documenting his life, military experiences, and family ancestry through photos and writings.
Carroll's presence will be greatly missed by all who loved him, as we all strive to be more like the essence he so willingly shared with us.
Preceding Carroll in death were the two special loves of his life, his wife, Doris, and daughter, Carol Lynn Stevens, who passed on Oct. 27, 2020. He was also predeceased by his two sisters, Eileen Reynolds of Houston, Texas and Dolores Burroughs of Du Quoin; and one brother, Larry Little of Mercersburg, Pennsylvania.
Carroll is survived by his son-in-law, Milton Stevens of Decatur; nephews, Jeff (Jane) Busby of Boylston, Massachusetts, Lonnie (Joni) Busby of Glenwood Springs, Colorado, Dirk (Sharon) Valerius of Elkville and Derek Valerius of DeSoto, Illinois; nieces, Joann Karlich of Houston, Texas, Demi Kelley of Las Vegas, Nevada, Carole (Christy) Burroughs of Arlington, Texas, Launa (Steve) Dinkins of Elkville and Caroline (Rich) Swartwood of Oxford, Mississippi; and lifelong friend Bill Hickem, of Panama City, Florida.
Services will be held at a later date. Entombment will be at the Star of Hope Mausoleum at Graceland Cemetery, Decatur.
Arrangements are being handled by Graceland Fairlawn Funeral Home in Decatur.
Memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church, 1320 Arbor Drive, Decatur, IL 62526, or a charity of your choosing.
The family of Carroll Little wishes to extend their appreciation for the kind and considerate care given by the staff and personnel of Decatur Memorial Hospital, Hickory Point Christian Village, and Safe Haven Hospice.
