Lecia Lanford Landolt, beloved mother, grandmother, teacher, and friend passed away Friday, January 4, 2019, following a long battle with pancreatic cancer. She was a strong, encouraging, humble, gifted, witty, beautiful lady who truly made an impact on everyone and everything she touched. She will be remembered for her unending effort to make every day count in service to others. You would find her encouraging teachers and coworkers, cooking and serving for the bereaved, and embracing the attitude that you never give up.

A graduate of the University of North Georgia, Lecia went on to earn her Educational Specialist Degree from the University of Georgia. Lecia touched the lives of so many children as a teacher and school administrator in Gwinnett, Lumpkin, and Cherokee counties. She had a natural knack with middle schoolers and often joked about her middle school sense of humor. Perhaps her greatest contribution to the school system was how she influenced her professional peers as she uplifted and empowered them professionally and personally.

A life-long member of the United Methodist Church, Lecia will be remembered fondly as a counselor at Camp Glisson in Dahlonega, Georgia. She served Canton First United Methodist Church faithfully throughout her years there by coordinating bereavement meals, serving Wednesday night suppers, and volunteering for Vacation Bible School.

Lecia loved music and sought opportunities to share her gift of music in any way she could. From directing the children's choir when her children were younger to feeding her granddaughter's choir in more recent years, Lecia connected her love of music and children. For the past 6 years she sang alongside her husband, Richard, and her mother, Mary, in the Cherokee Chorale.

Lecia spent her early years surrounded by extended family which instilled a strong love of family that she would pass on to all those around her. She could make any situation into a positive, fun experience if she was around her family or friends. She was well-known for her ability to put a positive spin on anything. Her latest, greatest joys were her two grandchildren, Alaynah and Jesse, who she lavished with love, kindness, attention, and awesome learning experiences.

Lecia instilled an attitude of joyful service in both of her children. She was proud that her son, Jim, plays such an active role at Cowboy Church in Jerusalem, Georgia. Her daughter, Katie, follows in Lecia's footsteps as a teacher for students with visual impairments in Cherokee County and the coordinator of Camp Abilities North Georgia, a sports camp for children who are blind or visually-impaired.

Though Lecia battled her illness for over five years, she realized every day was a gift. Her positive outlook enabled her to continue with a strong, vibrant, joyful life. Her brother, Rob Lanford said, "Lecia made more of out of these last 6 years than most people make out of a lifetime."

Lecia is survived by husband Richard Landolt of Canton, Georgia; daughter Katie Strack (Thad) Proctor of Canton, Georgia; son Jim Strack Jr. of Jasper, Georgia; mother Mary Lanford of Dahlonega, Georgia; brother Reverend Robert Almand Lanford Jr. of Marietta, Georgia; brother Norbert Spence Lanford of Oxford, Georgia; sister Nan Lanford of Canton, Georgia; mother-in-law Masako Landolt; sister-in-law Kathy Owen; brother-in-law Craig Landolt; brother-in-law James Landolt; and two grandchildren: Alaynah Jackson and Jesse Proctor.

A funeral service will be conducted on Saturday, January 12, 2019 at Canton First United Methodist Church at 3:00 p.m. Reverend Dr. Kenny Ott and Reverend Dr. Dusty Reynolds will officiate the service. Visitation services will precede on Thursday, January 10, 2019 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., and Friday, January 11, 2019 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Darby Funeral Home. A concluding visitation will occur on Saturday, January 12, 2019 from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Canton First United Methodist Church.

As an expression of sympathy in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to the following: 1)- Camp Glisson, 2019 Camp Glisson Road, Dahlonega, Georgia 30533; 2)- American Cancer Society, https://donate.cancer.org ; or 3)- Camp Abilities North Georgia, https://www.paypal.me/campabilitiesnorthga .

The caring staff of Darby Funeral Home is honored to serve the Landolt Family.