Joe Perry Little Jr.

KNOXVILLE – Joe Perry Little, Jr., age 85, of Knoxville, Tennessee, passed away peacefully on January 2, 2026. He was born in Lawrenceburg, Tennessee, and grew up in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, and Sparta, Tennessee. He was an Eagle Scout, competed in 4-H and Future Farmers of America programs, was selected to the Tennessee American Legion Boys State, and served as a page in Washington, D.C., for Congressman Joe L. Evins. Joe earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in nuclear engineering from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. He was a member of Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honor Society, Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity, and the engineering co-op program. He began his career as a nuclear engineer with Dupont at the Savannah River Plant and subsequently spent the majority of his career as a nuclear engineer with TVA and thereafter with various contractors in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, including Lockheed Martin, Bechtel Jacobs, and Pro2Serve. Joe was active in the Farragut community where for many years he coached his children’s youth sports with the Cedar Bluff Farragut Optimist Club, served on the Town of Farragut’s Municipal Planning Commission, served as an elder and Sunday School teacher at Farragut Church of Christ, and was most recently a member of the Hardin Valley Church of Christ. Joe was a loving husband, father, and grandfather; he was considered a true gentleman by all who knew him. Most recently, he prioritized time with family including regularly attending his seven grandchildren’s many, varied activities. Joe is preceded in death by his parents, Joe and Mary (England) Little. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Becky (Ford) Little; his sister, Bettye Evans; children, Ford Little (Malinda), John Little (Jennifer), and Mary Helen Story; grandchildren, James Little (Georgia), Matthew Little (Audrey), John Grant Little (Anna), Carlen Little Sutcliffe (Langston), Rebecca Story, Sarah Frances Little, and Stacy Story; and great-grandchild, Chloe Little. Honorary pallbearers include James Little, Matthew Little, John Grant Little, Stacy Story, Dick Anders, Jack Bender, Bob Boruff, Tommy Gordon, Eldredge Kennedy, Phil Manness, Bill McKissick, and Howard Rosser. The family wishes to express their gratitude to the wonderful staff at NHC Farragut as well as caregivers, Cathy Van Winkle, Jenny Escobar, and Kara Hartmann. The Little family will hold visitation at Hardin Valley Church of Christ, 11515 Hardin Valley Road, Knoxville, TN 37932 from 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm on Saturday, January 10, 2026, and a memorial service at 3:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Joe Perry Little to the Trinity Health Foundation, 525 Portland St., Knoxville, TN 37919, or Hardin Valley Church of Christ, 11515 Hardin Valley Road, Knoxville, TN 37932. Online condolences may be made at www.rosefuneraltn.com

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Joe Perry Little Jr.

January 2, 2026