Lena Callahan

Mrs. Lena Parker Callahan, 94, of Elizabethtown passed away Tuesday night, September 23, 2008 at Bladen County Hospital.

She was the daughter of Murdock and Bell Inman Parker of Roseboro.

Lena married Arthur Callahan and they had seven children; five daughters and two sons.

She was a dedicated Christian lady whose love for her family was exceeded only by her love for her Lord and Savior, Christ Jesus. Mrs. Callahan made a positive impact on the lives of those fortunate enough to cross her path. Those who knew her valued her love and kindness and took to heart the kind words that she spoke. She was a family woman who sacrificed her own comfort and feelings for those she loved.

She was a homemaker who loved to cook sew; which she did most of her life. She put all other before herself and would do anything for anyone in need.

She was a member of the Living Springs Pentecostal Springs Holiness Church.

Lena Callahan was a special lady. She was a devoted wife; caring mother, grandmother, and great grandmother; and friend and tireless helper for those in need.

She just liked to do for other people. She was a "mother hen", you might say. She wanted everyone to be together and be happy. The most important thing to her was for her family to stay together.

Smiles came easily for her and gave her unforgettable presence. She never missed church, no matter what was going on or who was visiting. If those visiting wanted to go with her to church, it was fine, but either way, she was going to attend church.

She also loved gardening and made good use of her home-grown vegetables. Her chicken and pastry, collards, butterbeans, fried chicken, fried cornbread, and assorted pies were family favorites. There are not enough adjectives to describe her.

Mrs. Callahan was predeceased by her parents; her husband, Arthur; two sons, Charles and Alva Glenn Callahan; one grandson, Steve Bowers; and one great-grandson, Madison Rabon.

She is survived by five daughters, Jeanette Callahan Autry and husband, Kenneth of Dunn, Doris Paschal and husband, Lewis of Elizabethtown, Evelyn Todd and husband, Roy Lee of Bladenboro, Alice Faye Muldoon of Grapevine, TX and Doll Sweeney of North Richlands Hills, TX; 15 grandchildren, 36 great-grandchildren, and 19 great-great grandchildren.

The visitation is planned for Friday, September 26, 2008 from 6:00 until 8:00 pm at Bladen-Gaskins Funeral Home in Elizabethtown. The funeral will be Saturday, September 27, 2008 at 3:00 pm at Living Springs Pentecostal Holiness Church with Rev. Jerry Green officiating. Burial will follow in Old Field Cemetery.