By Becky Holland
Nearly 30 years ago, early in her journalism career, this writer sat down with a beloved Bleckley County educator known affectionately as “The Pig Lady.”
Today, not much has changed—except the size of the collection and the depth of the story behind it.
Leanna Noah, 75, a retired educator who taught in the Bleckley County School System for more than 30 years, is still collecting pig memorabilia—and still bringing smiles to those who hear her story.
A 1969 graduate of Bleckley County High School, Noah is the daughter of George and Bertha Noah. Over the years, she has become well known in the community not just for her time in the classroom, but for a hobby that began in a simple, heartfelt way.
“It all started in the 1970s when students at the middle school gave me a Miss Piggy hand puppet,” Noah said. “It kind of snowballed from there.”
By the mid-1990s, when she was first interviewed for a human interest story, Noah estimated she had collected “hundreds” of pig-themed items.
Today, she laughs at that number.
“Gosh, it is probably up in the mid-thousands now,” she said.
From stuffed animals and linens to dishes, collectibles and even outdoor decorations, if it features a pig, there’s a good chance Noah has it. But for her, the collection is about far more than the items themselves.
Many of the pieces have been gifts from friends and family, each carrying its own memory. Some have even traveled great distances—or interesting paths—to find their way to her.
“I have pig gifts from friends who have gone to France and New York,” she said. “And I even have one from Italy that a friend found at a sale from someone who had traveled there.”
Among her most treasured items is a piggy bank that belonged to her grandfather, Hinson, who passed away on her third birthday—a reminder that some pieces hold not just charm, but deep personal meaning.
Noah said her love of pigs was also influenced by her fondness for The Muppets, especially Miss Piggy and Kermit. When it comes to pig-themed movies, she has a clear favorite.
“Babe,” she said with a smile. “Babe was a well-disciplined pig.”
Her love of pigs has even earned her a place on Colonel Poole’s Barbecue “Pig Hill of Fame” in Ellijay, Georgia—a fitting honor for someone who has spent a lifetime appreciating all things pig.
Still, Noah remains humble, more interested in the joy the collection brings than the recognition it has received.
These days, she said she’s always on the lookout for something a little different.
“I am looking for unusual pig memorabilia now,” she said.
And as for whether she plans to ever stop collecting?
“Not until they put me in the ground,” she said with a laugh.
Reflecting on her life, Noah shared simple but heartfelt advice she would offer to her younger self.
“Be kind. When you’re dealt lemons, make lemonade,” she said. “I have experienced broken hearts and sadness, and I wouldn’t change anything because I believe those things help mold you into who you become. Go with the flow.”
With a smile, she added a familiar line that seems to sum up her outlook on life:
“Hakuna matata.”
There are no worries.
Well said, Noah, well said.
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