of North Little Rock, AR
January 8, 1944 - February 19, 2026
The beautiful and beloved Carole Denice Merritt Hoofman, 82, of North Little Rock, Arkansas, unexpectedly woke up in the arms of Jesus on Thursday, February 19, 2026. She was born January 8, 1944, in Little Rock, Arkansas to her wonderful parents, Dennis and Mary Frances Merritt, who preceded her in death.
Carole is survived by her daughter, Ragan Hoofman Milner, whom she cherished, and her son-in-love, Chuck Milner, of Tupelo, Mississippi. She is also survived by her most precious grandsons, Coltin Milner, and Chance Milner also of Tupelo. She loved Ragan, Chuck, Coltin and Chance with every ounce of her being.
In addition, she is survived by her cousins, Patsy Merritt Russell of Granbury, Texas; Avon Phillips, Jr. of North Little Rock, Arkansas; and Ruth Ellen Haynie of Beebe.
Carole is also survived by her nieces and nephews (who were like her own children in many ways) and their families: Michelle Clinton Daniel and Marc Daniel of North Little Rock; Ryan Fitzgerald and Brenna Fitzgerald of Sherwood; Cory Fitzgerald Love and David Love of South Hill, Virginia; and Mark Clinton and Kim Clinton of North Little Rock. The ''Great'' nieces and nephews and their families are Drew, Breanna and Gracelynn Daniel of Sherwood; Cade Fitzgerald and Jude Fitzgerald of Sherwood; Micah, Shana and Nathan Love, of South Hill, Virginia; Joshua Clinton, and his family, of Mississippi, and Benjamin Clinton and Joseph Clinton of North Little Rock. Carole is also survived by her dearest friends, Sue and Tom Gillihan and their family.
Carole's sisters, Ruth Lynn Merritt Clinton and Annette Merritt Fitzgerald, and her brothers-in-law, Raymond Clinton and Sidney Fitzgerald, all predeceased Carole. She missed them all so very much.
She was a devoted follower of Jesus Christ, an extremely active prayer warrior, and longtime member of Faith Baptist Church in North Little Rock. Carole graduated from North Little Rock High School in 1961, and Arkansas State Teachers College in 1964. She taught Head Start and 1st Grade in the North Little Rock School District, until Ragan was born. Then, she started one of her favorite adventures, being a stay-at-home Mom, which was her most cherished role. During this time, Carole also worked part-time leading tours at the Arkansas State Capital. Then, in 1989, she went back to work full-time at the Pulaski County District Court as the Court Administrator. She retired from the Court in 2010 to spend more time with Ragan, Chuck, Coltin and Chance.
Carole enjoyed sports, any sport that Ragan, Chuck, Coltin and Chance were playing, and she LOVED cheering on the Arkansas Razorback Basketball Team!
She was an extraordinary woman who will be greatly missed by all who knew her.
82 years of Carole is just not enough!
All services will be held at Roller Owens Funeral Home, 5509 JFK Blvd., North Little Rock, Arkansas:
Visitation 4pm to 6pm, Sunday February 22.
Celebration of Carole's life is Monday, February 23 at 10am.
Burial immediately following the service will be in Ward, Arkansas, at the Old Austin Cemetery.
Please make memorials to:
Breakthrough T1D, Formerly JDRF, PO Box 5042, Hagerstown, MD 21741-5042
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14 Condolence(s)
Witcher family
Saturday, February 28, 2026
We love you all. Prayers for your entire family. Big hugs!!
Wayne and Rita Gruber
Sunday, February 22, 2026
Dear Ragan and family, we have known Carole since 1975, when I worked at Big Brothers and we travelled to Denver for a national conference.
She was so nice, kind and friendly.
Over the years we kept up with each other.
I was so blessed to have won a Special Election in 2001 to Pulaski Co Dist Court, as Judge.
Carole was Chief Clerk — I hit the lottery!
We worked as a team for many years together. I was very sad when she retired but understood how important her family was to her.
She was devoted to our Court, did a wonderful job, but family always came first !
We sure will miss her
Because of my current health condition, will be unable to attend visitation and funeral.
Wayne & Rita
Mac Carder, Jr.
Sunday, February 22, 2026
I met Carole early in my legal career at District Court. She was such a great person, always so nice to me and very helpful during the time I was there. My deepest condolences to the family and friends of Carole.
Tom and Pam Lasiter
Sunday, February 22, 2026
Carole was such a lovely lady inside and out. We have known her for years. She was in Tom’s graduating class. She and Cliff, Tom and I were in big brothers together.
God bless Carole.
Tom and Pam Lasiter
Norman and Shirley Clifton
Sunday, February 22, 2026
Our prayers to the families of Carol. She was a sweet and godly lady to everyone.Her kindness and grace will long be remembered. Nlr and Ship Clifton
Donna Treece Satterwhite
Sunday, February 22, 2026
My condolences to Mrs Hoofmans family. She was my 1st grade teacher at Boone Park Elementary in the mid sixties. She was a great teacher
Donna Treece Satterwhite
1966
Gail Glass
Sunday, February 22, 2026
Carole was my idea of a true southern lady. I always enjoyed time spent with her and Annette. I’m sorry for your loss
Gail Glass
Sherry Bruno
Saturday, February 21, 2026
I am so very sorry to hear this. She was a wonderful person. I’m so very sorry for your loss.
Michelle Daniel
Saturday, February 21, 2026
Pat Bane Griffin
Saturday, February 21, 2026
I loved sitting with Gia at our grandsons baseball games. She was such a precious friend. I have missed her over the last few years (when the boys moved on from baseball). Happy to know she is at home in heaven. Prayers for Ragan, Chuck, Coltin and Chance. Love you all.
Sue Gillihan
Friday, February 20, 2026
Sorry you left us soon. We had a lot more fun and food to conquer.
Love you rest in peace.
Tom Gillihan
Friday, February 20, 2026
We loved Carol
Mark Clinton
Friday, February 20, 2026
Judy West