TJ Little Jr., 67, of Elizabethton, passed away Saturday, December 28, 2019, at his lake home on Doe Creek in Butler, Tenn.
TJ was a native of Elizabethton and the son of Sue Merryman Little and the late TJ Little Sr. TJ was a 1970 graduate of Hampton High School and completed degrees at Milligan College, East Tennessee State University and received his Doctor of Jurisprudence from the University of Memphis Law School in 1981 where he was named Class Valedictorian. TJ was admitted to the United States District Court in the Eastern District of Tennessee in 1982.
Beginning his law practice in Elizabethton, Tenn., with the firm of Street, Banks, Merryman, and Bautista, he opened a private practice in 1986 and retired in 2015. TJ was the sitting Municipal Judge for the City of Elizabethton at the time of his passing, having served in that capacity since the death of his uncle, Lewis Merryman, in 2007.
TJ was active in several local bands in the 1970s and early 1980s as an accomplished bass and guitar player. He had a lifelong love of music. TJ also enjoyed spending time with his family, including a host of nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews with whom he was extremely close. TJ enjoyed traveling and spent a great deal of time working outdoors at both of his homes, taking pride in maintaining his perfectly manicured lawns.
Survivors, in addition to his mother, include his beloved companion, Violet Trivette; a brother, Tom Little and wife Lynn; as well as his sister, Linda Baughman and husband Rick. Five nephews, Michael (Amanda) Little, David (Erica) Little, Joseph (Ashley) Little, Wesley Baughman and Alex Baughman, two nieces, Rachel (Steve) Hyder and Rikki Baughman, and 13 grand-nieces and grand-nephews also survive.
A service to honor the life of TJ Little Jr. will be held on Wednesday, January 1, 2020, at 7 p.m. in the Chapel of Peace, Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton, with the Rev. Joel Cook officiating. Music will be under the direction of Judy Little, pianist, David Arney, organist, and Catherine Edwards Bunton, soloist. Prior to the service, the family will receive friends from 5 until 6:45 p.m. in the funeral home chapel. Entombment will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, January 2, in the Mausoleum of Faith at Happy Valley Memorial Park. Friends may also call at the home of his brother, Tom Little. Active pallbearers will be Michael Little, David Little, Joseph Little, Wesley Baughman, Alex Baughman, Steve Hyder and Thomas James Little. Everyone is asked to meet at Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton, at 9:15 a.m. Thursday to go in procession to the cemetery. The family would like to extend a special thank you to the Johnson County First Responders and to the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office for the care shown to them. Those who wish to make donations in memory of TJ may donate to the Building Fund of Valley Forge United Methodist Church at 3974 Highway 19E, Elizabethton, TN 37643. Messages of condolences and sympathy may be sent to the family through our website at www.tetrickfuneralhome.com
Tetrick Funeral Home, 211 North Riverside Drive, is serving the family of TJ Little Jr. Office: (423) 542-2232. Obituary Line: (423) 543-4917.