L3 —“Love Like Lanna”.
That abbreviation has echoed in the community this week as citizens far and wide remember Blackshear Elementary Principal Lanna Denison.
Denison, 49, passed away Friday afternoon, July 21, at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Jacksonville, FL. Denison suffered a medical emergency July 16 and had since been in hospice care.
Denison is being remembered in an outpouring of love and grief this week as someone who “loved big”, always wore a bright smile and who had a passion for her students and for her calling as an educator.
School superintendent Dara Bennett said to know Denison was to love her.
“She faced all challenges with a smile on her face and true, genuine love for others in her heart,” the superintendent said. “Lanna truly expressed Christ-like love to all who came in her path. She went above and beyond to help anyone in need and made sure they felt important.”
Bennett said Denison’s passing is a big loss to the school system.
“Lanna did a tremendous job as principal of BES. The Pierce County School System will miss her deeply. We are all challenged to Love Like Lanna. Lanna loved like Jesus.”
Denison’s leadership team at BES echoed those sentiments.
Assistant principal Andrea Dixon said Denison was “one of a kind”.
“Lanna loved all of her BES students and always greeted them with a smile and a hug. She worked diligently to ensure all students were taken care of no matter how big or small the need,” she said.
Assistant principal Mandy Williams recalls Denison as a compassionate leader.
“Lanna...touched the lives of countless students and educators. Her love and unwavering commitment to the students of Blackshear Elementary and all of Pierce County has left an indelible mark on all of us. We will carry on her work in what she considered to be her biggest mission field. Everyday we will strive to “Love Like Lanna” at BES,” said Williams.
“Lanna lived a life that glorified God. She loved God and loved people. What a blessing it was to be a part of her life,” said BES assistant principal Clint Hodges.
Denison had served as principal of Blackshear Elementary since 2020 and had 28 years of service with Pierce County Schools.
Denison was a product of Pierce County Schools, graduating from PCHS in 1992. After earning her bachelor’s degree she came home to Pierce County to teach as a language arts teacher at Pierce County Middle School. She later earned master’s and specialists degrees and worked as an instructional coach and assistant principal before moving to the central office as director of student achievement. She then became principal at Blackshear Elementary School.
Denison was also active in her sororities, her community and at her church, Patterson Baptist. She loved the Pierce County Bears, the Georgia Bulldogs, trips to the beach and traveling.
In her final days, Denison led by example and continued to love deeply, instructing co-workers and family members and consoling them.
Denison asked that a fund be created to benefit and help others — especially children. In the days after her passing, the “Love Like Lanna Fund” has been created at Blackshear Elementary School. To donate to the fund, log on to https://osp.osmsinc.com/PierceGA/BVModules/ProductTemplates/Bvc2013/Product.aspx?productid=UM297-VAR4&mibextid=Zxz2cZ&fbclid=IwAR1ep3SN2Qa5skRHgxlsH7VFnXcXdbLTZAh-uhMihOsvGn9J05at2i6-I8U.
Funeral services are scheduled for 1:30 p.m. today (Wednesday, July 26), from the Blackshear First Baptist Church.
Interment will follow in the Denison Family Cemetery in Patterson.
For a full obituary, please see page 3.
