Leah Lasley Shell
Aug 12, 1969 - Nov 21st, 2024- Birth Date: Aug 12, 1969
- Death Date: Nov 21, 2024
- Funeral Date: Nov 26, 2024, 10:00 am
- Location: Second Presbyterian Church, 600 Pleasant Valley Drive, Little Rock AR 72212
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Biography:
Leah Lasley Shell, 55, of Little Rock Arkansas, died peacefully surrounded by her family on November 21, 2024. She was courageous in her six-month battle with a rare and aggressive form of cancer. Leah touched so many people’s lives through her kindness. She was a very giving person. And, when she committed herself to a project, she always saw it through.
Leah was born on August 12, 1969 to Jim and Barbara (Barlow) Lasley. She grew up in Little Rock and graduated from Central High School in 1987. She attended William Woods College and completed her education in 1992 at Clemson University with a degree in finance. She was a real estate appraiser in central Arkansas for over 30 years, and she held leadership positions both at the state and national level with The Appraisal Institute. As primarily a residential appraiser, she achieved the industry’s highest designations of SAR and AI-RRS. While these may not be familiar to many, rest assured that it meant Leah was really smart and very good in her profession.
In 2004 she married Philip Shell and became “instant Mom” to John Shell and Rees Shell who were 8 and 5 when she joined their family. She considered the boys hers and they loved her very much.
Leah was a member of Junior League of Little Rock, making lifelong friends in addition to volunteering for many of the organizations they support. In 2004, she was honored by being recipient of the first-ever Active of the Year award.
Leah’s passion was growing heirloom tomatoes. She started with seeds and would plant them in her large plot at the community garden at Two Rivers Park. She normally had over 100 plants every summer producing tons of tomatoes. When asked what she did with them, her response was “I give them away.” If you were fortunate enough to be on her tomato list, you knew what a treat it was.
She was very active member at Second Presbyterian Church, sitting in the same pew every time. She was an ordained Elder and served on the Pastoral Care ministry, Prayer Shawl ministry, and hosting receptions of numerous memorial services. Her homemade cookies were the first to go at these events. She served as the main host for the Cheeses with Jesus small group ministry as well.
Being a Clemson grad, she was a very loyal Clemson football fan. She also loved watching her nephew and nieces playing youth and college sports over the years.
Leah was predeceased by her father, Jim Lasley and her grandparents Dr. Brian and Lil Barlow; James Ivy Lasley and Edith Lamar Lasley; uncle Dr. Brian Edward Barlow; and nephew Robert Hanschu.
Leah is survived by her mother, Barbara Barlow Lasley of Little Rock; husband, Philip Shell of Little Rock; sons, John of Fayetteville and Rees of Russellville; brothers Jimmy (Amy) Lasley and Brian (Jessica) Lasley, all of Little Rock. Nephews and nieces include Cross, Caroline, and Claudia Lasley; Rebecca, Laura, and David Hanschu; and Natalie, Meredith, Benjamin, and Christopher Shell.
A memorial service will be held at 10:00 am on Tuesday, November 26 at Second Presbyterian Church in Little Rock.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Second Presbyterian Church, ACCESS Schools, or the charity of your choice.