Caroline Lee Little (nee Lawson) was greeted into Heaven on Saturday, March 19th, 2022 with a full moon suspended in the morning sky as the sun was rising in a burst of glory to welcome her. On that special morning, God took her hand, gently told her it was time to go, and led her home. She was assuredly embraced by the love of her life, her husband of 62 years, Jon C. Little, with whom she shared a long and beautiful love story. Theirs was the kind of endearing love that inspires generations by demonstrating what love is each day- an intentional love, an abiding love.
Caroline was born on December 22, 1938, in Littlefield, Texas, and was raised in the community of Olton, Texas. She was the big sister to her two brothers, Gary and Jim Lawson, and she was the delight of her parents Drexel and Marie Lawson. She grew up knowing the value and reward of hard work as she helped her daddy who was a leader of his community generously helping those in need, a farmer and cattleman, and her mother who lovingly and graciously took care of her entire family and was a beautician owning the Olton Beauty Shop. Caroline’s family instilled in her a strong work ethic, a drive to be reckoned with, and the fortitude of faith and love that carried her throughout her life.
Caroline found her dream and purpose in life when she became a mother. She was determined to be the best mother she could be and accomplished that when she and Jon blended their two families and made them into one big one. She was the fabric of her family’s lives; defending with the ferocity of a mother bear, providing one of her special sayings for nearly every occasion, being an amazing manager of a large family- she had a place for everything and everything in its place, she kept everything in order including her kids, always making sure they had everything they needed to feel secure and loved, raising them to be good people and to always, always love one another.
Caroline was a dynamic woman who held many interests and qualities; she was a fashion queen, a social butterfly, a dancer, an artist, a traveler, an explorer, a keeper of stories, a caregiver, a fun-loving, spirited soul. Caroline was an extremely hard worker. She was constantly busy taking care of her family and home. As her children got older and most had moved out of the house, she worked outside of the home working at many different jobs. Her last jobs were in home decorating and design, and as a Mary Kay salesperson, which she loved and excelled in. Caroline was an incredibly talented artist. She enjoyed and was accomplished in many forms of art- painting, ceramics, floral arrangement, sewing, home decorating, and crafts. She thoroughly enjoyed learning new mediums and taught classes on some herself. Many of her pieces were sold at art shows and her family’s homes are filled with collections. Caroline loved to dance – especially with Jon. The two of them could two-step, swing, square dance, or waltz like a fine-tuned instrument and were beautiful to watch in one another’s arms. Caroline’s sorority sisters were a big part of her life, spanning over decades and three states. She greatly appreciated their friendships, their travels together, and enjoyed all of the philanthropic activities and causes they worked on throughout the years. She was very proud of her lifelong affiliation with the organization. Caroline truly loved her church family. For as long as she was able she attended services and served on several committees over the years. She especially enjoyed the bible study group, where she learned more about God’s gospel, love, and hope for us. Caroline was the keeper of both sides of the family’s history. She collected a lifetime of letters, pictures, and memorabilia. She cared for and treasured family furniture and heirlooms with such love and respect. She instilled the importance of these precious things in each of her children. Caroline was a wonderful caregiver. She stayed with and lovingly cared for both of her parents until their passing. She was the sole caregiver for several years as her husband, Jon, battled several health issues and then Alzheimer’s disease. She truly believed and embodied her marriage promise to love and cherish through sickness and health. Caroline was adventurous and loved to travel. When her children were little, and Jon had to work, she’d load them up and take them on trips all by herself. She and Jon taught their children to snow ski while living in Colorado, took them camping in the mountains of Arizona and on the beach in Mexico. As she and Jon neared and reached retirement, they traveled all over the country together in their motor home. They loved taking the backroads as they explored our beautiful country, and met so many kind and interesting people along the way.
Caroline was happiest when she was surrounded by her family. They were the center of her life and the most important part of who she was. When her children speak of her there’s a common thread- that she was the fabric that bound the family together and held it closely wrapped in her love. Through her, they lived to love and they laughed a lot. The thread that she sewed connecting all of them will never be broken.
After Jon’s passing, she was heartbroken without him and her only wish was to be reunited with the love of her life. God has been gentle with her.
What would Caroline say to us? Remember to always love one another, hold each other dear, be good to others, and be happy. Don’t do it on your own, turn to Jesus in the waiting, in the searching, in the healing, in the hurting, and you’ll never walk alone. The best moments that live on forever, even after they are long gone, this is the meaning of life. A mother’s love stays forever, wherever you are, I am with you, you will always carry my love.
Caroline is preceded in death by her loving mother, Lee Marie Miller Lawson 1921-2003, and her devoted father, Drexel O’Dell Lawson 1913-1998, and her little brothers, Gary Eugene Lawson 1942-2013 and Jimmie Ray Lawson 1944-2020. She’s reunited with the love of her life, Jon Claibourne Little 1936-2021, who left her side just four months prior. She is survived by her five adoring children and their children: Kathy Wagner, her husband Richard Wagner and son Wyatt Wagner; Rick Little, his wife Dee and his children Trisha Robertson, Lacey Hoover, and Rick Little Jr.; Drex Little, and his wife Lori Little and their children Heather Hamby, Kali George, Jeff Little and Jon Little; LaDon Durham and her children Jarod Durham, Randi West, and Cassidy Wendler; and Linda Little Wendlandt and her daughter Morgan Wendlandt, in addition to twenty-one great-grandchildren; Bella, Lili Jo, Kendal, Caleb, Xania, Hazen, Marin, Dylan, Clayton, Kinley, Emma, Maddie, Jaxon, Michaela, Tristan, Daniel, Patrick, Isaiah, Noah, Greyer and Maverick.
A Celebration of Life for Caroline will be held at 12:00 PM on Sunday, March 27, 2022 at Cook-Walden/Forest Oaks Funeral Home, 6300 West William Cannon Drive, Austin, Texas 78749. A graveside service will take place at 2:00 PM on Tuesday, March 29, 2022 at Olton Cemetery in Olton, Texas.
