Buddy Lambert

SIKESTON, Mo. — Enfield "Buddy" Lambert, 82, passed away at home Saturday, Aug. 30, 2008, surrounded by family.

He was born Oct. 13, 1925, in Marion County, Ala., to the late Charlie W. and Autie E. Nelson Lambert.

On Oct. 31, 1943, he married Genevia Maxine Holden in Dexter. They had one son, Thomas Earl Lambert.

Buddy served in the United States Navy from Aug. 27, 1943, until he was honorably discharged in January 1946 as Seaman 1st Class.

Upon discharge from the Navy, he worked several years at Hart's Bakery in Sikeston. He then joined his brothers' business as a painter for Lecil Lamberts Painting Contractors until he retired in 1975. Over the years he continued to stay busy enjoying the classic country music he dearly loved, fixing anything that needed fixing and cracking pecans for his friends.

Always with a smile on his face, he has never met a stranger and had a magnetism with children. His love of his family and children was evident every day. Not a day would go by that he didn't tell his wife how much he loved her. She was his best friend and meant the world to him. They were always the best example of what a marriage should be. Lambert's son, grandchildren and great-grandchildren were always a source of pride and brought great joy to his life.

He was an active member of the Shady Acres Church of Christ in Sikeston for many years. He would make a point to be there every Sunday even when he didn't feel like it.

Survivors include his wife, Maxine, of the home; a son and daughter-in-law, Thomas and Pam Lambert of Sikeston; two granddaughters and their spouses, Julie and Tim Kellick of Webster Groves, Mo., and Allison and Lloyd Diamond of Cape Girardeau; two great-grandchildren, Benjamin and Claire Kellick of Webster Groves, Mo.; two stepgrandsons, J.W. and Erik White of Sikeston; a great-stepgrandson, Kaeden White of Sikeston; a brother and sister-in-law, Lecil and JoAnne Lambert; a sister and brother-in-law, Deanie and Don Bass of Santa Ana, Calif.; and one longtime close family friend, Jane Bess.

He was preceded in death by an infant son, Gary Allen Lambert; four sisters, Edna Lambert, Estelle Roden, Annelle Jones and Maxine White; three brothers, Carl Lambert, Ray Lambert and Doyle Lambert.

Pallbearers will be Doug Lambert, Mike Lambert, Steve Lambert, Billy Littleton, Jiggs Moore and James Price. Honorary pallbearers are Lloyd Diamond, Tim Kellick, Gene Jones and Ronnie Lambert.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday at the Nunnelee Funeral Chapel in Sikeston, with funeral services at 2 p.m. Tuesday, with Pastor Pat Hogan of the Shady Acres Church of Christ officiating. Burial will follow at the Garden of Memories Cemetery in Sikeston with full military honors.

Memorial contributions may be made in his name to the Alzheimer's Association, the American Heart Association, The SEMO Christian Academy in Sikeston or VNA Hospice of Southeast Missouri.