His Story
DECEMBER 4, 1935 - JULY 6, 2024

The year is 1935, the birth of "Swing with Benny Goodman". On December 4, 1935, in
the Center Springs Community of Claiborne Parish, Louisiana, Lenward and Mattie
L. Battle Seals becomes parents to a baby boy named Lenward T. Seals, Jr. Born via
midwife to a family rooted in deep history, he was the descendant of Abraham "Abe"
Seals and Fannie Henderson Seals of South Carolina and Alabama. After emancipation,
his ancestors remained in Homer, united in marriage, and began raising their bountiful
family which produced ten children.

ROOTED IN THE WORD

Lenward's faith played an integral role in how his life was shaped and flowed. He was
Christened in his infancy and later accepted Christ as his personal savior in his youth as
Center Springs CME Church. He would later become the musician that not only played
but sang Zion songs as he ushered in the presence during services.

WE HEAR MUSIC IN THE AIR!

Who knew that music would play or become such an integral part of his life? Lenward
was introduced to music at an early age in the Battle family home, playing the reed
organ. His uncle, Napoleon Battle, helped fine-tune his piano skills. From there, the
renowned musical legend emerged. Homer, Louisiana where he began his educational
training and graduated in 1953 from Mayfield High School. His extracurricular activities
included football, Drama Club, 4-H, and Boys Glee Club. He was also a tenor soloist for
the high school choir. After high school, he headed to Grambling State University where
he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education. During his college years at
Grambling, he performed in the Marching, Concert and Jazz Bands, University Choir,
Men's Glee Club and Orchestra. He became a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.,
Kappa Kappa Psi Fraternity, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, and was one of the founders of the
Music Club. He later went on to earn a Master of Music Education Degree from Vander
Cook College of Music in Chicago, Illinois.

SERVICE IN CAPITAL

Lenward's military career was a two-year and eleven-month duration of active service as
"Bandsman" in the 29th and 229th Army bands. His career was highlighted by a 1959
tour "Rolling Along" Special Services in Washington, D.C.

THE FAMILY MAN

In 1963, he was united in holy matrimony to the late Lillie Mae Dunn Seals, they welcomed
five children to their union: James, Cheryl, Xanthe, Lenward, III, and Roderick. They
remained married until her death in 1986.
In 1987, he married Cathy Delois Cornelius, and welcomed two children to their blended
family: Aaron Keith and Erica. They were happily married for 28 years until her death
in 2016.

TEACH. LEAD. INSPIRE

Lenward's first teaching assignment was in Ringgold, Louisiana at Central High
School as the music teacher. He worked at Mayfield in his beloved hometown from the
mid-1960s to 1970. After integration, he worked at Homer High School until 1974. He
found his way back to his college stomping grounds at Dear Ol' Grambling, this time as a faculty member. During this time, he served as a member of the Music Department and an Assistant Band Director. As a professor of music, he taught Theory, Woodwinds, Jazz Improvisation, directed the Experimental Jazz Ensemble, and Grambling Orchestra, and was Vice Chairman of the Jazz Commercial Music and Instrumental Repair Curriculum Development Committees. His tenure from August 1974 to 2004 was lengthy in years but the impact he made on the lives of the students he taught spans across the globe through
the generations that will come through the students he taught. THE NEXT CHAPTER
Upon retiring from Grambling State University, he returned home and later accepted a
teaching position as band director of Homer High School for several years, yet again being
an influential model for the musically inclined students he taught.

BACK TO HIS ROOTS

Lenward was an active member of the Center Springs CME Church family where he served
and played for each service. He served as the Steward and Recording Steward. He also
served as a lead musician at Springville Baptist Church in Gibsland, Louisiana. He faithfully
served in both capacities until his health declined.

His community involvement included: being a Master Mason of the Prince Hall Masons, United
Supreme Council 33 Prince Hall Affiliation, AFT, NAJE, Music Local 116, Omega Psi Phi
Fraternity, and a past member of the LA State Fair Committee-Shreveport, Louisiana.
In his spare time, he enjoyed photography, listening to, playing, and arranging music,
watching CBS News or listening to KOKA Radio. His favorite teams to watch were, of
course, any team sporting the black and gold G, his Grambling Tigers. A self-proclaimed
food connoisseur, he enjoyed dining at his son's Aaron Keith's Carrabba's of Shreveport.

THE LEGACY

The Heavenly hosts welcomed the husband, father, teacher, mentor, and musical genius
to his eternal home on July 7, 2024. He was preceded in death by his parents: Lenward Sr.
& Mattie Seals; wife, Lillie Mae Seals; son, James Dunn; and wife, Cathy Delois Seals; and
brothers: John Seals and Baby Seals.

Remaining to cherish his memories and to carry out the legacy of their beloved are:
children: Cheryl Seals, Lenward Seals, III (Raquel), Xanthe Seals Mann (Kenneth), A.
Keith Cornelius (Michelle), Roderick Seals, Erica Seals, and daughter-in-law, Betty Dunn;
Godchildren: Gregory Hunt & Jeffrey Hunt (Evelyn); grandchildren: Harrison Brennan
& Emerson Brook Seals, Iyana Marcel, Decortez Smith, Armani Howard,  Kennedi Mann,
Greylen & Grider Fishburn, Demarcus Watts, Ryan Cooper, Kristian Cooper, Aarion
Lewis, Keira Cornelius, Dekevious Moore, Joslyn Bradford, LaKesha Bowden (Marcus);
sisters-in-law, Linda K. Hardaway (Thomas), Mary Sue White, Carolyn Gantt, Linda
Faye Cornelius, Betty Dunn; brothers-in-law, Willie Dunn, Jerry Dunn, Sr. (Annette),
Ronnie Harris, and a host of other grandchildren, great-grandchildren, extended family,
Grambling State University family and friends.

The maestro had an impressive blueprint for life. He lived a wonderful journey filled with
laughter, travel, wisdom, sacrifices, serving, love, and of course music.
May his rich legacy reign for many decades to come.