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

Obituary Provided By:
Roller-Owens Funeral Home
5509 John F. Kennedy Blvd.
North Little Rock, AR  72116
www.rollerfuneralhomes.com