Johnnie Little Searle

Johnnie Little Searle, age 87, passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones in her Pepperell home on August 25, 2022. She was born in Crossville, TN on June 17, 1935, the daughter of the late Edward and Ruth (Boswell) Little.

Johnnie met her husband Kenneth Searle Sr. in Washington D.C. while she was working for the FBI as a file clerk. They were married January 2, 1955, celebrating 67 years in partnership. They resided in Pepperell, MA until retiring to Washington, ME in 1998, and returning to Pepperell in 2015 to be near family.

Johnnie, often described as “the sweetest woman I’ve ever known,” easily warmed the hearts of anyone she encountered. She loved working as an aid at Children’s Extended Care in Groton, MA, tending to disabled children. She worked as a baker for Hawthorne Brook Middle School in Townsend, MA. She was always caring for neighborhood children who enjoyed her continuous stream of baked goodies.

Johnnie’s main love was being a homemaker. She loved taking care of her home and her family. Friends and family always came by to enjoy her baking, her humor, and her vast love and caring. She had a great love of music, reading, and her faith, and was frequently singing, especially to her favorite Christmas songs.

In addition to her husband Ken, she is survived by her children; Terrie Cundiff of Ashburnham, MA, Marjorie Calawa and her husband John of Pepperell, MA, Keith Searle and his wife Lynne of Pepperell, MA, Kenneth Searle Jr. and his wife Christine of Pepperell, MA, 11 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren. Johnnie is also survived by her sister Veda Headley of Virginia and brother Robert Little of Maryland.

She is predeceased by her daughter Deborah Dailey, grandchildren Melissa Dailey and Daniel Robertson, and nine siblings.

Family and friends are invited to attend Johnnie’s memorial service Thursday, September 1, 2022 at 11:00 AM at Faith Baptist Church of Hollis, 43 Wheeler Road, Hollis, NH 03049. Burial will follow at Pepperell Cemetery, 8 Park Street, Pepperell, MA 01463.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Faith Baptist Church of Hollis ( www.faithbaptisthollis.org )