Obituary of Mildred "Catherine" Little

Mildred Catherine (Tonkery) Little, 90, of Fairmont, passed away on Tuesday, February 27, 2024 in her home. She was born in Fairmont on March 3, 1933, a daughter to the late Robert C. and Mildred Stella (Fortney) Tonkery. She is survived by her loving husband of 70 years, Tom Little. In addition to her husband, she is survived by her siblings, William C. Tonkery of Fairmont, and Mary Ann Smith of Bakersfield, CA., along with many nieces and nephews who would always help when asked. In addition to her parents, Catherine is preceded in death by his brother, Robert E. Tonkery, infant brother, Dale Howard Tonkery, and her brother-in-law, Lloyd Smith. Catherine was a graduate of Fairmont Senior High School and attended David Lipscomb College and Fairmont State College. She was a Christian by faith and was a member of the Whitehall Church of Christ. Catherine worked at G.C. Murphy’s and was one of the first Teacher’s Aides in Wood County at Parkersburg High School, and served as a custodian for Benton’s Ferry Church of Christ. She was caregiver for Tom’s grandfather, helped take care of her in-laws, took care of her own mother and her cats for several years and was a caring homemaker. Catherine enjoyed going to Myrtle Beach and loved visiting the Grand Ole Opry. The family would like to pay a special thank you to Pam and Alan, Patricia, Mark and Nancy, Matthew and Dianne, David, Paula and Jimmy, Dr. Clump, Dr. Vishwanathan, Caregivers, Marty, Alma, Karen, Clarissa, WVU Medicine and WVU Hospice. A tribute to lady Catherine- What began as a budding courtship has become a living legacy for over 70 years. Thank you, Catherine, for taking a struggling college freshman and helping him to become a graduate student with degrees in business finance as well as a teaching degree and a graduate degree in school administration. Very few women would have made the sacrifices that you have made to make me the man that I have become. You endured living in a two-room house with one bathroom without any hot water for eight years while I went to school and worked a full-time job. You worked as a custodian at the church until we left for Parkersburg and passed that job on to your mother so we could be together once more. You helped take care of my grandfather for two years, helping cook meals, being there for my mom and dad, cleaning the house and nurturing those of whom you had tremendous respect for. Catherine, I would not be the man I am today were it not for all the sacrifices you made throughout the years. So, today, as we memorialize your life and our time together, please know this; I am eternally grateful for the memories you and I have made together. You filled this house with your warmth, love and tenderness and made it a home for the both of us. I love you, lady, and I’m confident that we’ll see each other again soon. The best days of my life on earth were the ones spent with you and it will only become sweeter once we’re together once more. -Tom The family has entrusted the arrangements to Ford Funeral Home, 201 Columbia Street, Fairmont, WV 26554. Friends will be received on Saturday, March 2, 2024 from 4p.m. until 8p.m., on Sunday, March 3, 2024 from 2p.m. until 8p.m. The casket will lie in state at the Whitehall Church of Christ, 3546 Fairmont Ave., Fairmont, WV 26554, on Monday, March 4, 2024 from 11 a.m. until 12 noon. The funeral service will be held in the church on Monday, March 4, 2024, at 12 noon with Evangelist Kevin Lough officiating. A service of committal will follow at Bridgeport Cemetery. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.fordfuneralhomes.com.