Elna Juanita (Grant) Farmer

Elna Juanita Grant Farmer, departed this life on Friday, March 8, 2019.  She was born on August 22, 1937 in Northampton County, North Carolina to the late John Luther Grant and Ira Juanita Mayfield Grant.  She was one of nine children and predeceased by Iola Mae Murph, James Grant, Dorothy Grant and Wallace Grant. 

Elna was educated in the Northampton County School System and graduated from W.S. Creasy High School.  She moved to Durham, North Carolina and received additional training as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). 

Elna married Joseph P. Farmer, and to this union, four sons were born.  She began her nursing career at Duke University Medical Center and remained there until the birth of her first son.  Following her maternity leave, she worked at North Carolina Memorial Hospitals, which later became UNC Hospitals, until her retirement.

In her devotion of being a mom-to-many, Mrs. Farmer became a loving Den Mother for Cub Scouts of America.  She was proud to serve and was not partial to her own children; she made them work as hard as all the others.  Also, in her years of service to others, Mrs. Farmer worked tirelessly with the NC Licensed Practical Nurses Association – serving in positions such as Secretary, Vice-President and President.

Mrs. Farmer traveled all over the United States to attend her annual Nurses Conventions, which she looked forward to every year.  She also enjoyed spending time with her family during their annual vacation to Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.

Elna loved the Lord and gave her life to Christ at an early age.  She grew up and was baptized at Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church in Woodland, North Carolina.  In later years, she joined Peace Missionary Baptist Church.  As a member of Peace, she served for many years on the Deacon Board, as a Sunday School Teacher, as part of Helping Hands ministry, and the Nurses Health Ministry, until her health declined.

She leaves to cherish her memory her husband, Joseph P. Farmer;, four children – Joseph P. Farmer, II (Lakesia), Matthew K. Farmer, Jon C. Farmer, and Carl L. Farmer; five grandchildren – Warren C. Mack, Christian E. Farmer-Hodge, Bria A. Farmer, Brennan A. Farmer, and Kevyn J. Farmer; four great-grandchildren – Genesis D. Hodge, Elijah J. Hodge, Zion E. Hodge, and Noah C. Brown; four brothers – John T. Grant, Arthur Grant (Symera), Lloyd Grant (Faye), and Melvin Grant (Edrina); and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. 

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