CAMERON - Mrs. Lena Catherine Elwood, 85, passed away Saturday, Sept. 12, 2015, after a lengthy illness. With her children at her side, she opened her eyes, looked at each one, and peacefully took her last breath. In that moment her soul separated from her body, and she was instantly with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, where He wrapped her soul in a new body, one free of pain with renewed strength. She is more alive now than ever.

Catherine was preceded in death by her devoted husband of 37 years, Joe Dee Elwood; and loving daughter, Janice Kay Deese.

Her love for Jesus, work ethic, character, compassion, and giving spirit are woven into the DNA of her surviving children: Gary Barrett and wife, Rita, Susie Barrett Baker and husband, Charles, and Rebecca Elwood Finchum. James 1:17 says, "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, ..." God gave each of her children a "perfect gift" in giving them her to be their mother. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Tara Roberts and husband, Mick, Matthew Barrett and wife, Gretchen, Anna Ludlam and husband, Roland, Meredith Knight and husband, Aaron, and Trevor Finchum; along with 11 great-grandchildren, Cole, Caroline, Samuel, Daniel, Shakia, Isaiah, Noah, Asher, Zoey, Mason and Ally.

A funeral service celebrating her life and home going was conducted Thursday, Sept. 17, 2015, at Hillmon Grove Baptist Church at 12:30 p.m. The burial was in Sandhills State Veterans Cemetery in Fort Bragg.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hillmon Grove Baptist Church, 384 Hillmon Grove Road, Cameron, NC 28326.