Elizabeth "Libby" Lupton Campen

It is with great sorrow that we share the passing of our beloved mother, sister, grandmother, and great grandmother – Elizabeth Lupton Campen. After a brief, courageous battle with cancer, she went home to God on Friday, February 13 at 92 years young.

A graveside service to honor Elizabeth’s life will be held at 1 p.m., Saturday, February 21st at Gethsemane Memorial Park, officiated by Rev. Brad Smith.

Born Catherine Elizabeth Lupton to the late Virgil and Violet Lupton of Hobuken, N.C., Elizabeth (or more affectionately “Libby”) was one of eight children. She married Eric Campen in 1951, and they had three children- Doug, Eric Jr., and Tami- before settling in Cape Carteret and building their forever home on Lejeune Road. They joined Cape Carteret Baptist Church where Libby remained a member until her death. They became extremely active with the Cape Carteret Volunteer Fire Department where Libby became a member of the Ladies Auxiliary, a Firefighter, and a Rescue Squad E.M.T. She later was named “Runner-up Firefighter of the Year” paving the way for granddaughters and beyond to strive and achieve success in non-traditional female roles.

As the years passed, you could find Libby anywhere… at the church, the firehouse, gardening or crafting, or even up on a roof assisting Eric on a job. You could also find her delivering food to someone sick or sitting with a friend or neighbor in need. She was a loyal and loving friend. In 2015, Libby lost Eric and began a life on her own. She was devastated by the death of her oldest son, Doug two years later in 2017. She leaned on her faith to carry her through, and God took her hand in his.

A year later, while convalescing from major surgery, her home of 50 years was destroyed by the relentless rain, wind, and flooding that was Hurricane Florence. Again, she relied on her faith- and dear friends who cared for her and provided her with a place to live while we rebuilt. She weathered it all with strength, dignity, and grace- as well as a healthy dose of hard-headedness thrown in. She lived independently in that new house she loved until the last 3 weeks of her life when Eric Jr. came to care for her full-time.

She is survived by her brother, Jasper Lupton of Chesapeake, Va.; and sister, Helene Glazebrook of Rocky Point, N.C.; son, Eric Campen Jr. and wife Pam of Rougemont, N.C.; daughter, Tami Schleining and husband Butch of Maysville, N.C.; daughter-in-law, Cathy Campen of Morehead City, N.C.; grandchildren, Lisa, Shelley, Ashleigh, Bradley, Morgan, and Michael; great grandchildren, Brenden, Autumn, Parker, Makayla, Lauren, Logan, Landen, and Sam; and best friend and honorary family, Sue Gillikin.

Libby was preceded in death by siblings Clifton, Forest, Earl, Lucy and Beulah, as well as, husband Eric and son, Doug.

We will always remember the love and laughter she brought to us all and the tea towels that are a lasting reminder of her to each of us. And we can imagine the homecoming it must have been when she reunited with family and friends after so very long. The sunrise was magnificent Saturday morning as it sparkled over the frosted ground, Libby was most certainly shining. In her last few days, Eric Jr. settled her in bed and as usual told her he loved her. She quietly responded, “I love you more” and he leaned down close and said, “No, I love you more” …

Mom, we’ll miss you every single day and we definitely… Love you more!

As an expression of sympathy, flowers are welcome or memorial contributions may be made to Cape Carteret Baptist Church, 101 Anita Forte Drive, Cape Carteret, N.C. 28584, American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 6704, Hagerstown, MD 2174, or St. Judes Children’s Hospital, P.O. Box 1999, Memphis, TN 38101.

Family and friends are welcome to submit online condolences at www.mundenfuneralhome.net.

Arrangements by Munden Funeral Home & Crematory in Morehead City, NC.