Frederick Wesley Tollette

FREDERICK WESLEY TOLLETTE was born on June 30, 1956, to Sanford Bernard Tollette, III and Sammie Nell Tollette. He passed on December 3, 2021, and is preceded in death by his parents. Survivors include: brother, Sanford Irving (Melinda "Binky") Tollette IV of Little Rock; nephew, Sanford James (Erica) Tollette V of Memphis; nephew, Christopher (ToyLetha) Irving Adams Tollette, niece, Zoe Lynn Tollette, and niece, Zia Rose Tollette, all of Little Rock; great-nephew, Amir Tollette of Little Rock; cousin, Saboor Salaam of Little Rock; cousin, Marque (Debra) Mealing of Jonesboro; and many other family and friends. His birthplace was Camden, Ark., where his parents were educators in nearby Harmony Grove and Camden. He also lived in Pine Bluff, Smackover, and Wilson before moving to Little Rock, where he graduated from Hall High School in 1974. He excelled at piano, clarinet, tap, martial arts, swimming, and running. Frederick graduated from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville in 1980 with a degree in chemistry. He was a charter member and president of Alpha Phi Alpha and served as the first Black chairman of the Arkansas Union Governing Board. Frederick's career included ultrasound technician in Little Rock, Dallas, and Austin and Interventionist at Washington, Geyer Springs, and Chicot elementary schools. He sang with the U of A Inspirational Singers, Wesley United Methodist Church choir in Austin, The Art Porter Singers, and Bullock Temple CME Church Chancel Choir in Little Rock, where he served as Recording Steward for over ten years and helped organize Unity in the Community, a multi-faith celebration of the integration of Central High. The family would like to thank the staff of Hickory Heights Health and Rehabilitation Center, and caregivers Saboor Salaam, Derrel Drayer and Vanessa Lewis. A memorial service for family and close friends will be on Thursday, December 23, 2021, at 11 a.m. Masks are required. Social spacing is observed. Funeral services will be live-streamed on Ruffin & Jarrett's Facebook Page. Interment will follow at Roselawn Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Bullock Temple CME Church youth program, 1513 S. Park St., Little Rock, Ark., 72202, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Pi Lambda Chapter, payable to Central Arkansas Sphinx Foundation, P.O. Box 802, Little Rock, Ark., 72202, or Art Porter Music Education, Inc., P.O. Box 166035, Little Rock, Ark., 72216.