Carol Ann Nolley

Carol Ann Nolley, 81, of Little Rock, died Monday, October 19, 2020. She was born November 15, 1938, in Stuttgart, Ark., as the only child of Emmett and Nannie Mae Almond of Van, Ark. Carol Ann's "growing up years" were on her parent's farm where she learned to value the land and the ethic of hard work in her father's production of rice, soybeans, and wheat. Carol Ann spent all of her childhood on the farm. Her education, beyond her mother's in-home instruction, began when she was five years old as she attended a one-room school through the sixth grade. Her remaining six years were in the public schools at DeWitt, Ark. Upon graduation in 1956 from high school, she enrolled in Hendrix College, graduation in 1960 with a degree in elementary education. The light of Carol Ann's life was always the children: hers, theirs, or someone else's. She taught the third grade in Decatur, Ga., the first three years out of Hendrix while her husband was in seminary preparing for ministry in the United Methodist Church. Along the way, she gave piano lessons to many children. She also taught children in Vacation Bible School and at Camp Tanako, all the time modeling for them the life and teachings of Jesus. Carol Ann, unbeknownst to many, supported children in other parts of the world for over 30 years through The Christian Children's Fund. And, in her latter years, through her love for PEO, she continued to affirm and support young women in their effort to get a higher education when otherwise it might not have been possible. But the greatest meaning she found in life was through her husband, their two children and six grandchildren. Theirs was a close-knit family in sorrow and in joy, the ordinary and the extra ordinary, and most especially, as they travelled with her during the last seven years of her battle with Alzheimer's. Carol Ann was the consummate helpmate for her husband through forty years of his ministry, often hearing the church-folk say, "Well, the Bishop may want to move Don, but you are gonna stay here with us." She loved the Church, its liturgy, the sacraments, a good anthem, other pastors, and their wives, teaching adult SS Classes and helping young families pray and care for one another. She delighted in setting a beautiful table and inviting family and friends to come together and enjoy a wonderful meal. In short, Carol Ann was the biblical sisters, Mary and Martha, rolled into one. Carol Ann was preceded in death by her parents and a special aunt, Rosebud Nicholson, of Ethel, Ark. Survivors include her husband, Rev. Donald F. Nolley, of 60 years; her two children, Kimberly (John) Johnson of Bryant, her son, David (Allison) Nolley of Benton; along with six grandchildren: Amanda Harrison of North Little Rock, Kelsey Harrison and Michael Harrison, II of Metairie, La., Drew (Maggie) Nolley of Jonesboro, Ark., Olivia Nolley and Cooper Nolley of Benton. A committal service will be at 1 p.m., Saturday, October 24, at Pinecrest Memorial Park in Alexander followed by the Memorial Service at First United Methodist Church, Little Rock at 3 p.m. In following corona virus protocols in person attendees will be limited to family. Others may participate online by going to www.fumclr.org/live. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Camp Aldersgate, 2000 Aldersgate Road, Little Rock, Ark., 72205 or to any children Ministry in the church of your choice. State of AR COVID-19 directives: Face coverings required. Maintain social distancing. Online guestbook at www.SmithFamilyCares.com