Coralea Little Roquemore

Coralea was born in Houston, Texas on July 13th, 1944, to Myrtle Marie Grant and Arthur Tabor Little, who was a part of the Occupation Forces in Japan serving as a Shore Police, and was unable to be there for his daughter's birth. After his return the family stayed in Houston for a while until Art finally found another job and the family moved to Austin. Most of Coralea's time growing up was spent in Austin. She graduated Austin High School in June of 1962 and in the fall went to Howard Payne University. While a senior in high school she met Jimmy A. Roquemore and after a stormy relationship for two years, Coralea became Mrs. Jimmy A. Roquemore on May 29th, 1964. The couple lived in ministerial apartments provided by the College and was there for a total of three years. During this time, Coralea earned her Bachelor of Science with an education degree specializing in teaching. She graduated from Howard Payne in 1966 and was hired by Brooksmith Independent School District, and served there for one year. When Jimmy graduated in 1967, the couple had their first child on June 10th, 1967. Following John Mark's arrival the couple moved to Cleburne, Texas where Coralea found a job with the Cleburne Independent School District. While Jimmy was in Seminary she worked first at Santa Fe Elementary and then later at Cooke Elementary School. She also gave birth to a daughter, Eleane Marie. Jimmy graduated from Seminary on December 18th, 1970 and was taken into the Air Force on April 18th, 1971. In the first seven years of their marriage, they earned two Bachelor degrees, one graduate degree, Jimmy received seven years pastoral experience and Coralea achieved five years teaching experience. The couple moved from Cleburne, Texas to Travis AFB, California on June 9th, 1971 as the whole base was in an uproar due to a race riot and Jimmy was put to work quickly. Since the children were small Coralea decided to take a break from teaching and she joined the Skylarks, the Officers Wives Glee club and performed many times representing the base. The group even performed in San Francisco at the St. Francis Hotel for a convention. Coralea also served as a Red Cross volunteer meeting the Medical Evacuation Planes that came into Travis. Many of the wounded could not come in but Coralea and others were escorted to the plane to visit and help cheer them up. Jimmy received his remote from Travis. He went to Alaska. He took Coralea and the children to Austin, Texas to be near family. Her mom and dad managed Hill Lakes Baptist Encampment and Jimmy's parents were located just outside of Luling. She spent the year with family and had a great time. The time in Austin was only marred by her diagnosis of sclerosing cholangitis. The Lord healed her as the other 75 cases in the United States were all deceased. The doctors in DC were amazed. After a four year stint in Washington DC, Jimmy was assigned to Athens, Greece. This is where Coralea fell in love with kindergarten. Through the skills and talents of one teacher, Lanai Talent, Coralea became convinced she was meant to teach kindergarten. Jimmy was then assigned to Shepard AFB in Wichita Falls, Texas. She began teaching at a private Episcopal School in Wichita Falls. She then applied for the Kindergarten at Ben Franklin, the best elementary school Wichita Falls. She landed the job and taught there for three years. She excelled here as she won an award for Teacher of the Year and a $2500.00 cash award. Next Jimmy was assigned to Okinawa, Japan. She began once again in the kindergarten class room. Her assignment to Kadena Elementary School was a plum of an assignment. She excelled here as well and had the first inter-action with a Japanese class room, which was to become a standard in Okinawa. Jimmy's next assignment was Edwards AFB in California, the test pilot base for the Air Force. She had children who had high IQ's and who actually liked school. Once again she taught kindergarten. Jimmy's next assignment took them to Montgomery, Alabama. In Montgomery she taught first grade. She looped with the children and taught the same children in second grade. Then Jimmy was assigned to the Air Staff in Ramstein, Germany. Coralea did not teach there. Jimmy retired from Ramstein in 1994. Coralea taught first grade at Barton Creek Elementary in Austin Texas. She went up to second grade the next year. She then transferred to Bridge Point Elementary School where she taught for five years. She then transferred back to Barton Creek where she taught for three years. She retired after 28 years of teaching. Even though she would not have professional credit given she went to work as a reading specialist. She did that for three years and then finally retired. She had an illustrative career teaching and was doing what brought her more joy than anything except her children and grandchildren. She was the epitome of a teacher who loved her students and always let them know she loved them. Coralea and Jimmy built a house on the land they had purchased in 1970 with Jimmy's inheritance from his granddad. The couple held on to the land until they could build on it. Coralea's statement once it was built was, "I do not want to leave this house unless it is in a pine box!" Before she left us she became the light of the lives of our grandchildren: Todd David, Chad David, Caitlyn Grace, Sarah Grace, David Lane, and recently Levi David Conwell. Also Adam Daniel, and Joshua Allen Roquemore. She is survived by her husband of 48 years, Jimmy A. Roquemore, Her sister, Arthleen Francis Spalding, her children, John Mark Roquemore, and Eleane Conwell. Not to be forgotten are daughter-in-law Candy Roquemore, and son-in-law David Conwell. Also a niece, Rachel Louise Schmidt and nephew, Ian Spalding, and their spouses Chris Schmidt and Sandra Spalding. Both parents have preceded Coralea in death. I suppose Honey the Lord provided for your departure. I know as your pastor for 48 years God blessed you here and you are blessed with Him now. I know your Mother was surprised when you walked into heaven but I doubt she was as surprised as much as you. I can only count it sad that the plans we made for the future may be fulfilled by only me. I shall miss you terrible because you will not be with me. I celebrate the years we had together and will look forward to the day I am with you once again. May God use you and your lovely voice in a choir in Heaven.