Leah Hudson Calvert

JACKSONVILLE - Leah Hudson Calvert, 91, of Jacksonville North Carolina entered the presence of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on December 27, 2023.
Born Leah Frances Wood on October 25, 1932, she was often known as "Fran". With her mother dying shortly after she was born, Leah worked hard in the household from an early age. She graduated from Richlands High School where she was captain of the women's basketball team. After high school, she attended East Carolina Teacher's College (later ECU). As she journeyed through life Leah grew ever closer to God and was active in Union Chapel Christian Church for many years. It was routine for her to begin her mornings at the kitchen table reading her well-worn Bible and praying earnestly for our country, her community, those in need, and especially her family. She loved to keep up to date on current events and was a strong supporter of national and international Christian organizations. She was also blessed with a wonderful sense of humor and entertaining times happened when she was with her brothers and sisters.
An intelligent and strong woman, Leah successfully managed the small family business for many decades. However, she was primarily known as a godly woman and a loving mother to Deborah, Shauna, and Jeffrey.
As the Apostle Paul said of Timothy's mother and grandmother, those that knew her understood that Leah had a genuine faith. Prior to going to her eternal home, she shared her favorite verses of scripture from 1 John 5:12-13:
He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.
She said, "That is how I know I am saved." Pancreatic cancer took her mortal body, but she received complete healing and ultimate victory through her faith in Jesus Christ.
Ninety-one years of love and devotion cannot be summed up in a few words. We know that we were blessed beyond measure by having her in our lives. The family prays that we might demonstrate her best traits as we carry on her amazing legacy.
Leah was preceded in death by her mother and father, Annie and Caleb Wood and her siblings Franklin Wood, Ruth Barbee, Grady Wood, Peachie Marshburn, and Merrit Wood. She was also preceded in death in 1985 by her husband Billy Hudson, and in 2018 by her husband Warren Calvert. She is survived by her daughters Deborah Filomena (Danny), Shauna Bishop (Kelly), son Jeffrey Hudson (Angela), grandchildren Daniel Filomena (Tracey), Caleb Filomena, Leah Filomena (Edward) and Ian Hudson, great-grandchildren Gabriel, Hana, Eliana, Skyler, Harrison and Addie Filomena, grandchildren in law Susan Thomas (John) and Brian Bishop (Kandi). As well as stepdaughter Valley Calvert Marcuz (Adro), stepson James Calvert (Carol), and grandchildren Jennifer Marcuz, April Marcuz (William), Shane Calvert (Holly), Shannon Bunty (Tony). She also leaves behind a dear sister-in-law, Mary Wood, and many loving nieces, nephews, and their children.
Jones Funeral Home of Jacksonville, NC is assisting the family. All services will be held at Tar Landing Baptist Church, 3884 Richlands Highway, Jacksonville North Carolina. Family visitation will be held on Wednesday, January 3rd at 1PM. A celebration of life will immediately follow at the same location at 2PM, with Pastors Jack Marshburn and Robert Williams presiding. Interment will follow the funeral at Onslow Memorial Park, 3280 Richlands Highway, Jacksonville. Those that are able are invited to attend all three ceremonies. The family thanks all those who demonstrated love and kindness toward Leah and our family during this time.