Carroll Gravett

Carroll L. Gravett, age 76, went to be with his Heavenly Father on Friday, June 20, 2020. He was born to Albert Lee and Laura Marie Gravett on March 11, 1944 in England, Arkansas.

Carroll was raised in a small farming community in Humnoke, Arkansas, the youngest of four siblings.

He graduated in 1962 from Humnoke High School and attended Arkansas State University-Beebe on a basketball scholarship. During the Vietnam War he enlisted with the United States Army, later transferring to the Arkansas Army National Guard.

Carroll dedicated the next twenty years to pursuing a career in law enforcement, beginning with the Little Rock Police Department. From 1976 to 1980, he was Sergeant, Supervisor, and eventually assigned to the CID Narcotics Unit of the Arkansas State Police. During this time, he appeared briefly in the Burt Reynolds film, White Lightning, in addition to guarding his favorite performer, Elvis Presley, at a performance in Pine Bluff.

In January 1981, he launched a political campaign with the hope of becoming Sheriff of Pulaski County. In 1985, he began a decade long career as Sheriff, serving the people of Pulaski County while he and his wife, Claudia, raised a family of four children in North Little Rock. Carroll’s oldest son, Todd, followed in his father’s footsteps by choosing a career in law enforcement with North Little Rock Police Department.

In 1990, Carroll served as President of Arkansas Sheriff’s Association. His many accomplishments during his tenure included securing private funds to restore the Junior Deputy Baseball Complex, fundraising for the Arkansas Chapter of the American Heart Association, reinstating the Mounted Patrol and working closely with the Arkansas Sheriff’s Youth Ranches.

Carroll was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife of forty-three years, Claudia Toland Gravett; two sons, Todd (Stacy) Gravett of Benton, and Kevin Gravett of Sherwood; two daughters, Stephanie (Greg) Sims of Maumelle and Christi Gravett of North Little Rock; eight  grandchildren, Chase, Anna and Olivia Gravett, Maddie and Hayden Sims, Parker and Corbin Gravett, and Andrew Carrington; three brothers, Bob (Marie) Gravett, Larry (Norma) Gravett, and John (Jean) Gravett; and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Arkansas Chapter of the American Heart Association, Arkansas Sheriff’s Youth Ranches, Special Olympics of Arkansas or Junior Deputy Baseball.

Visitation will be 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., Wednesday, June 24, 2020 at Smith-North Little Rock Funeral Home. A Celebration of Carroll’s life will be at 11 a.m., Thursday, June 25, 2020 at Edgewood Memorial Park.

State of AR COVID-19 directives: Face coverings required at all times.  Maintain social distancing. No hugs or handshakes please.