Person of the Week

Staff Reporter

by Amanda Spears

This one was a special one for me, not only because I have known Lea Ann all my life. She is truly one of the best people you will ever come to know. I was sad to hear she is retiring, because I was hopeful she would get my grandchildren in school. I sure hope she enjoys her retirement. I hope you all enjoy getting to know this wonderful lady.

Q.) Can you tell me a little about yourself?

A.) I have been teaching first grade for thirty years. I plan on retiring in May. I have loved being a teacher but now I look forward to being LaLa to Rhodes and Campbell.

Q.) Where did you grow up?

A.) I grew up here in Hohenwald. After I married I became a military wife for 10 years. I really enjoyed that life and moving around and meeting new people. We moved back to Hohenwald in 1992.

Q.) What is one of your fondest childhood memories?

A.) Spending the night at Mama and Papa Holt's house. They were wonderful grandparents. My uncle Jack taught us pig Latin and would let us ride around with him (sometimes). The funniest memory I have was bedtime. It was so cold in the room we slept in, Mama Holt had so many covers on the bed that when we wanted to roll over we all had to lift the covers together and all roll at the same time.

Q.) What did you want to be as a kid? What did you actually become?

A.) I always wanted to be a school teacher. And that's exactly what I became and I have loved it.

Q.) Who was/is your biggest role model?

A.) My biggest role model was Richie's dad, Clovis Anderson. He was funny, loving, kind and a wonderful Christian man. He loved me like I was his own daughter. I always told everyone that I loved him before I did Richie. Their home was what I wanted my home to be. It always gave you the feeling that you belonged there and you never wanted to leave.

Q.) What are some of your favorite hobbies/how do you like to spend your free time?

A.) I enjoy many different hobbies. I paint, sew, make jewelry and work in my flowerbeds.

Q.) If you could go anywhere, in or out of the states, where would it be? Why?

A.) I would love to go to Ireland. I feel that it would be breathtaking.

Q.) What is your favorite 90's jam?

A.) Two Of A Kind by Garth Brooks.

Q.) What is one of your favorite things about living in Hohenwald?

A.) Hohenwald reminds me of a song Aunt Bee sang on The Andy Griffith show about Mayberry. The song says "The neighbors are gentle and kind and the living is slow and easy." I feel this song could have been written for our hometown. It's a wonderful place to live.

Q.) What is your favorite time of year? Why?

A.) Spring! I love flowers and working in my flowerbeds. I love it when people share their flowers with me. They mean so much more when you see them bloom and know who and where they came from.

Q.) You're a new addition to the crayon box. What color would you be? Why?

A.) The name of my crayon would be chocolate oatmeal cookie. I love brown and I'm pretty famous around town for my chocolate oatmeal cookies.

Q.) What do you enjoy most about your job?

A.) The dear friends I get to work with everyday and the precious little children that I get to teach and enjoy.

Q.) Do you have a nickname?

A.) At one time my nickname was Weezer. This was from the movie Steel Magnolias. She grew tomatoes and gave them away. Tomatoes are one of my favorite things about summer.

Q.) Is there any life advice you could give to our readers?

A.) To remember that every day may not be the last day but we always have a reason to smile and be happy. We are all blessed in so many ways.

Q.) Is there anything you would like to add that my questions may not have touched on?

A.) If we could all live by this quote how much better the world would be.

"What a grand world this would be if we could forget our troubles as easily as we forget our blessings.