Virgie Juanita Caldwell Carter Hankins Litle was born on June 19, 1936, to Virgil Caldwell
and Gertrude Pace. The eldest of eight children, she grew up in El Dorado Springs, MO, where
she attended school for 12 years and played basketball in high school.
Virgie married Arthur Carter in 1954, and together they had two children, Randal (Leah)
Carter and Rhonda Shaffer. She was a proud grandmother to Nathan (Janelle) Carter, Ashley
(Jason) Blight and Josh (Shavon) Shaffer, and beloved great-grandmother to Alexis, Kynadee,
and Mason Carter; Carter, Caleb, Cason, and Carver Blight; and Nadia, Vivian, and Lilith
Shaffer.
After Arthur’s passing in June 1982, Virgie found love again and married Harry Hankins in
February 1983. They shared many years together until his passing in July 2011. In December
2015, she married Carl Litle, with whom she spent the later years of her life.
Her servant’s heart led her to dedicate countless hours to her church and community. A member
of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Springfield, MO, she served in many leadership
roles, teaching children, youth, and adults. She was actively involved in numerous organizations,
including the Presbytery, Council of Churches of the Ozarks, Presbyterian Women, Meals
on Wheels, the Boys and Girls Club of Springfield, the Women’s Auxiliary, the Sertoma
Club, the Regional Girls’ Shelter, RSVP (Retired Senior Volunteer Program), and the
American Cancer Society. For over 11 years, she provided transportation for cancer patients,
ensuring they made it to their appointments and treatments.
Beyond her volunteer work, Virgie was also an accomplished bowler. In recognition of her skill
and dedication to the sport, she was inducted into the Springfield Bowling Hall of Fame in
2004.
Virgie was preceded in death by her husbands, Arthur Carter and Harry Hankins; her
daughter, Rhonda Shaffer; her parents, Virgil and Gertrude Caldwell; and her sisters, Belva
Beaty and Mona Caldwell.
She is survived by her husband, Carl Litle of Nixa, MO; her son, Randal (Leah) Carter of
Nevada, MO; and her siblings, Jim (Judy) Caldwell of Laramie, WY; Elvia Caldwell of El
Dorado Springs, MO; Cecil (Phylis) Caldwell of Walker, MO; Trudy Caldwell of El
Dorado Springs, MO; and Virgil (Jackie) Caldwell of Walker, MO. She also leaves behind
her three grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren, numerous stepchildren—Stanley (Susan)
Hankins, Cindy (Bryon) Lagree, Christy (Howard) Stewart, Joe (Sarah) Hankins, Kelley
(Dave Harris) Litle, and Robyn Litle—as well as step-grandchildren, step-great-grandchildren,
many nieces, nephews, cousins, and a multitude of friends.