While visiting a waterfall, the three were attacked by a black bear. 

Cenkus and her boy, Luke, survived, but her daughter, Elora, was killed by the bear. 

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Here is how Cenkus described the attack to 10TV News:

"On April 13, 2006, my son, Luke, and (daughter) Elora and I took a trip to Chihowee, which is in the Cherokee National Forest and we went up there just to enjoy the day."

"We had some extra time and I told Elora about this beautiful water fall, called Benton Falls.  So we took the hike back, which was approximately a mile back."

"There was also another family down there, a man and wife and their two children.  And, as we were standing around the creek and talking and looking at the waterfall, we happened to glance up into the foliage and there was a black bear."

"So, when we saw the bear, we decided to go across the creek.  This was just a matter of seconds, very, very close by.  The bear was already upon us."

"I looked up and the bear had Luke with his, with his paw.  He had his paw on his head and he was twisting his claw into Luke's head."

"I immediately ran toward the bear and grabbed the bear - not the bear - but I grabbed Luke.  When I grabbed Luke, I pushed him to where everybody else was standing."

"I stood and I stared at the bear and we just kind of stared at each other and I realized at that point he was intent on harming us."

"I thought if I could get together with the group, we would be more intimidating, so when I turned around to head toward the group, the bear bit into my neck.  When he did that, I realized my life was over."

"I was rescued and was taken by Lifeflight to Erlinger, which is a trauma hospital in Chattanooga.  When they closed the doors to the helicopter, I went out and I did not wake up for nine days."

"When I woke up, I woke up knowing that my daughter had been killed by the bear.  I was in the hospital for 22 days, with a total of seven surgeries to repair all of the damage that had been done."

"You know what we are, is so much more important inside than what we are on the outside and really, the scars (on my arm) never really bothered me."

"Luke is doing very, very well and he is such a joy in our lives and we are so grateful that he's doing fine.  I always say Elora is a hero because I believe she saved our lives."

"Every single night before Elora would go to bed, we would pray and she would pray for everyone and I would feel very compelled to say to her, 'Elora, if Mommy can't be with you, I want you to know that Jesus is always with you and he'll send his angels to be with you.  I knew it in my heart that she was OK."

"She is with us every day, every single day and she lives in our hearts and we just feel so blessed to have had her for almost seven years."

"Our lives never be the same again.  We miss Elora and we understand that bad things can happen.  However, we are determined to continue enjoying life and to not allow this to stop us."

Editor's Note:
Two bears were caught in the area.  One had evidence of the family's DNA.  Cenkus said it is still a mystery about how Elora was attacked.  Rescuers found her body nearby. 

The attack was described as rare because the family had no food with them.  Cenkus was also told that the animal was a predatory bear.

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