I Am Jackson: Christy Little

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Christy Little

What is your hometown?

I am a Jacksonian through and through. My dad, Billy Rauchle, grew up in Trenton, and my mother, Geneva Burns Rauchle, taught Senior English and Spanish at Humboldt High School. I was born in the “fancy hospital” in Jackson and we never looked back. Daddy worked for Sears and was known as the “fence man.” Our simple red brick three-bedroom two-bath home on Coatsland Drive that was once a former lake was the first finished and occupied home on the street. It was where my dreams were made, making life-long friends, playing kick the can, and taking new neighbors (snipe) hunting. My parents and my sister, Gay Fowler, ate together every night. Leave it to Beaver had nothing on us. Great memories that I will always treasure.

Where else have you lived?
At 25 I left for the University of Memphis Law School and lived in Memphis for three years. I never made it through a whole week of summer camp because I was always homesick, and I was homesick my entire law school experience. I did make it through those three difficult years, by the grace of God, moved back to Jackson, married Steve Little, and the rest they say is history.

What is your profession?

I am a lawyer who began my career in downtown Jackson as a self-taught paralegal. Every summer, I typed for attorneys Melvin Rowland and George Googe. I worked with George as an Assistant Public Defender for approximately six years and visited every prison in the state. It was a great courtroom and life experience for my career. In 1998, I ran for General Sessions Court Judge, Division II, Juvenile and Probate. I was blessed to win and have run unopposed in that position for the past four terms. This profession has truly been my life and love, especially any matters that help children who are in trouble or have been abused. Dwight D. Eisenhower said, “There can be no peace without law.” I chose law because I wanted to make a difference in our community, West Tennessee, and especially for our children. Some days it feels like judges are just educated referees trying to find justice. I will continue to fight that battle as long as I am in this position.

Where have you volunteered in efforts to give back?

I have been involved in so many different prevention programs for children, music, assistance with parents, out of wedlock children, and kindness to others in times of need. Any time I have an opportunity to improve the lives of those in our community I look for ways to fund programs and to improve the lives of the individuals that the program will enhance. My favorite examples are the CASA program that I developed in our county, the Evening Reporting Center, Teen Court, the Summer Jobs Program, and Safe Haven visitation, Truancy Court, Safe Baby Court, Youth Town Wilderness Program, and the Summar House, which gave children a place to live after being removed for abuse or neglect.

What are some of your favorite things about Jackson?

I love all the diversity in Jackson. We are truly a hub city. We have a unique regional musical history from Graceland in Memphis to Hank Williams in Nashville; museums and all forms of recreation that are readily available to our citizens. On the weekends other counties come to join us for food and entertainment, and we join them for some amazing festivals and celebrations. We are truly West Tennessee’s example of working together to enjoy what Tennessee has to offer.

Three words that describe you.

Tenacious, a word given to me by the infamous Tom Hensley. He always said I never took no for an answer. Next would be outspoken. Don’t ask me a question if you don’t want to know a truthful answer. Finally, unique. Music has always been my first love; and I have a love of all things related to clothes, purses, jewelry, and shopping. I love working with children’s programs, public speaking in the community, and enjoying lifelong friends.

I am Jackson because…

There is no place like home!