Leola Elizabeth Hagerman

Leola Elizabeth Anderson Hagerman, age 94, passed away on Nov. 27. She was born on Aug. 18, 1916 in Montgomery County near Mount Ida, Ark. She was the eldest child and daughter of Smith Wheeler and Bell Zora (McGough) Anderson. She spent her early years in Mount Ida until her family settled in Lonoke County in the early 1930s. She graduated from Keo High School in 1936, and was the last survivor of her class. She received her teaching certificate in 1941 and received her Bachelor's in Eduction from State Teacher's College in 1959. She began teaching at Redwine Community School in 1941. After five years, she transferred to England, where she taught until 1958. She then taught for one year at Lynch Drive in North Little Rock. She also taught at Wilson School in Little Rock and finished her career at Romine Elementary, retiring in 1970. She was a wonderful teacher for 27 years, 18 of which she taught first grade. In 1936, she married William Thomas Hagerman from the England area. They spent 25 years in the Keo, England, and Toltec area. They moved to Little Rock in 1961 and then to North Little Rock several years later. After her husband's death in 1976, she moved back to Little Rock in 1977 where she lived until 2007. She spent her last several years in Saline County. She lived at Benton Residential for two years, and during her last three months she resided at Heartland Rehab and Nursing home. The family is very grateful for the exceptional staff and loving care at these two outstanding facilities. She was a faithful member of the Little Rock Seventh-Day Adventist Church for almost 50 years. She was a wonderful, caring mother and grandmother, a loving sister, a sweet aunt, a thoughtful neighbor, and a loyal and endearing friend. She was an immediate friend to anyone she met, and a generous and genuinely caring and giving person. She was known for making phone calls and sending cards, and helping others in need. This was her ministry and many people were been blessed by her generosity and kindness over the years. She is survived by: her daughter, Elizabeth Burnett and husband Phillip; her granddaughter, Cheryl Burnett; her grandson, Clay Burnett and wife Mitze; her brother Darrell Anderson and wife Robbie; her brother Clinton Anderson and wife Joyce, and sister-in-law Anna Anderson, along with many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her brother, Harold Anderson. Visitation will be held prior to the service today, Monday, Nov. 29 at 1 p.m. at Little Rock Funeral Home at 8801 Knoedl Ct, (NW Corner of I-630 and Barrow Rd) Little Rock, Ark., 72205. The funeral service will immediately follow at 2 p.m. Memorials may be made to the Little Rock Seventh Day Adventist Church, 8700 N. Rodney Parham Rd., Little Rock, Ark., 72205. Arrangements by Little Rock Funeral Home (501)224-2200. Mrs. Hagerman's online guestbook may be signed at www.littlerockfuneralhome.com.