WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
Carolyn Yvonne (Gilliam) Little died on October 12, 2022 at the age of 79.
She was born in Lonepine, CA to Roy L. Gilliam and Ella Pauline (Rhodes) Gilliam on March 5, 1943.
Carolyn grew up in Death Valley, CA with older brother Roy L. Gilliam Jr., 1941-1985 and younger sister Barbara (Gilliam) Waddell, 1944-2009.
Carolyn is survived by her children Thomas Little and Yvonne (Mike) Sampson, grandchildren Madeleine (Mike) Nichols, Emily Sampson, Nick Sampson, Shannon Sampson, Claire Sampson and Ethan Little, brother-in-law Roy Waddell, nieces Julie (Mike) Payne and Suzanne (Essex) McGee, nephew Dennis (Ann) Waddell, great nieces and nephews Ashley Waddell and Essie McGee, Jake and Chloe Waddell.
After graduating from Death Valley High School, Carolyn continued her education at Warner Pacific College in Portland, OR.
Carolyn served in the United States Air Force and was stationed in the Philippines during the Vietnam Conflict. Her favorite story of her time in service was flying around the world in seven days! While on leave, she visited six countries and three continents.
Carolyn raised her kids in the San Jacinto Valley of Southern California. Living across the street from the San Jacinto Church of the Nazarene, Carolyn became a committed member of the congregation. After moving to Hemet, CA she and her kids attended the Hemet Church of the Nazarene for over twenty years. Carolyn’s retirement years were spent in Chandler, OK where she found joy being involved with several church families, including Chandler Assembly of God, Cowboy Church and her beloved Chandler First Church of the Nazarene.
The guiding force in her life was her unwavering faith in Jesus Christ, her Lord and Savior, strength and provider. Her Bible was read daily and Carolyn was often asked by many in her church to pray for their needs. She made a list and prayed daily for everyone who asked.
A memorial service will be held at the Chandler First Church of the Nazarene on Friday November 4th, 2022 at 11:00 in the morning. She will be laid to rest at the Riverside National Cemetery in Riverside, CA with an Air Force Honor graveside service on December 2, 2022 at 11:00 in the morning.
In lieu of flowers, please attend a church service in her memory.
