Leann Viala Hanshaw

Leann Viala Hanshaw, 72, of Cabot, died gracefully and peacefully at home on April 13, 2015, surrounded by her loving family. Born in Little Rock in 1942 as the first child of Paul E. Viala and Marilyn Goodbar Viala, Leann was a beautiful child, full of life, love and laughter, and a current member of Faith Baptist Church, Cabot. Baptized on Easter Day, 1953 at Immanuel Baptist Church with her father and brother, Leann loved Jesus and served Him the rest of her life. She graduated from Central High School and Ouachita Baptist University before marrying the love of her life, Lance Lamar Hanshaw of Jonesboro. After honeymooning along the East Coast and living for a year in Newfoundland, Leann and Lance lived in Little Rock until 1977, when they moved to Cabot. Leann taught elementary school for several years before graduating with a Masters Degree from the University of Central Arkansas and becoming a pioneering elementary school counselor at Westside Elementary. She retired in 2005. The author of 13 character education books called "The Sealed With…" series, Leann also wrote public school discussion guides for Big Idea's Veggie Tales series. She created the characters Seymour the Seal, Pinky, Freddy Cat and Lucille of Holly Hill Elementary and introduced them to elementary schools across the nation as part of character education programming. Her love for children was proven in her dedication to and foundational leadership for the Open Arms Shelter, where she was a member of the Board of Directors for more than 20 years. But her love for family surpassed all her loves except her love for her Savior. She is survived by her loving husband, Lance; daughter, Holly Huckabee and son-in-law, Sandy of Cabot; son Heath Hanshaw and daughter-in-law, Trang Tran of Albuquerque, N.M.; son, Hastings Hanshaw and daughter-in-law, Kelly of Frisco, Texas; eight grandchildren: Marley Huckabee (Oklahoma City), Lance and Micah Huckabee (Cabot), Jessi, Cade, Harper Leann and Hattie Hanshaw (Frisco) and Hadrian Hanshaw (Albuquerque); brothers, Ted (Connie) Viala of Bentonville, Terry (Cindy) Viala of Rogers, Tim (Marsha) Viala of Benton; four nieces and one nephew. Rev. Tom Hart will officiate the service at Faith Baptist Church Cabot on Friday, April 17 at 11 a.m., with Griffin-Leggett assisting. Visitation will take place at the church at 10 a.m. In lieu of flowers, gifts in her memory may be made to the Open Arms Shelter, the Cabot Scholarship Foundation's Lance and Leann Hanshaw Servant-Leader Scholarship, Cabot Community Bible Study or the Alzheimer's Association at http://act.alz.org/goto/lalasleaders. Online guestbook is available at www.griffinleggettresthills.com.