Roy Lambert

Roy Farrell Lambert, 84, of Bennett, North Carolina, joined his Lord and Savior and his beloved wife, Ellen in Heaven on Sunday, February 5, 2017.

The family will receive friends Wednesday, February 8, at Beulah Baptist Church from 6:00 - 8:00 PM. Funeral services will be conducted on Thursday, February 9, 2017, at 3:00 PM at Beulah Baptist Church where he was a life-long member, faithfully serving as a deacon, Sunday School teacher and choir member for many years. Dr. Neal Jackson and Dr. Curtis Barbery will officiate his funeral.

Farrell is survived by his son Dale Lambert and wife Regena of Bennett; daughters, Arlene L. Ritter and husband Melvin of Bennett; Sheryl L. Comer of Robbins; Janelle L. Tally and husband Tim of Goldston; sister Betty L. Maness and husband Edward; brother-in-law, Doyle Jones and wife Elaine; sister-in-law, Carole Lambert; grandchildren, Chad Ritter and wife Terri, Chance Ritter and wife Amy, Megan R. Sizemore and husband Cliff, Morgan C. Evans and husband Matt, Worth Comer and wife Jennifer, Amanda L. Edwards and husband Brian, Jason Lambert and wife Victoria, Michelle Lambert, Grayson Tally, and Arden Tally; great-grandchildren, Raelyn Sizemore, Blake Ritter, Aidan Sizemore, Carlyn Sizemore, Ellie Comer, Bailey Ritter, and Wesley Comer.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 62 years Nancy Ellen Jones Lambert; his parents Roy Perliman Lambert and Leta Maness Lambert; his older brother Henry Marvin Lambert; and his son-in-law Jimmy Comer.

Farrell was born on a snowy day on December 10, 1932, in Randolph County. He began attending Bennett School in 1939 where he enjoyed playing baseball and was a pitcher. He also played on the town’s baseball team. He recalled playing basketball in the school auditorium where they removed the seats and stacked them on the stage.

He had memories of helping during World War II where he and his classmates would scour the area collecting scrap metal to aid with the war effort. He caught many rabbits near his home in rabbit boxes he and his brother built.

His fondest memory was when he laid eyes on the most beautiful girl he ever saw…Nancy Ellen Jones. He knew, as he drove his ’37 Chevy on many visits to the Jones’ farm, that one day she would become his wife.

They would meet by the heating radiator to talk daily and a “hot” romance was born. It was at school one day that she accepted his marriage proposal. Farrell and Ellen’s 62 years of marriage began on September 1, 1950, in Bennettsville, S.C. Their secret to a successful marriage was to put God first, say “I love you” to each other every day, and show your love without saying a word.

They kept several children, including grandchildren, in their home where Farrell loved to sing “Old MacDonald” to them.

Farrell accompanied Ellen to discover family genealogy on many occasions. They enjoyed visiting cemeteries, historical places, old home sites, as well as interviewing people, and preserving family heritage. They were members of the Chatham County Historical Association and the Moore County Genealogical Society. They loved their family and friends and enjoyed getting together as often as possible.

Farrell had several occupations including a saw miller, chicken truck driver, and farmer. He was employed at Collins and Aikman in Siler City for thirty-five years, where he retired early due to a serious arm injury in 1988.

He enjoyed gardening, bird and deer hunting, mowing his yard, and riding his International tractor in parades, including the Bennett, Carthage, and Robbins parades where he was awarded many trophies and plaques.

He loved riding the grandchildren and great-grandchildren on his tractors, ATV, and golf cart. And they loved riding with their Papaw. He was “on the go” all the time, delivering the Chatham News to his family every Wednesday evening, taking a short afternoon nap daily to refresh his mind and body, eating Little Debbie Nutty Bars, getting fresh peaches to share in late summer, and buying snacks or surprises for the great-grandchildren.

An exciting story was never far away from family or even strangers that he would encounter. He had an amazing memory and could recall what year everything happened. For instance, once while quail hunting with his cousin Robert Caviness, Robert’s dog fell into an open well. Farrell held Robert by his feet and let him down into the well where he could barely reach his dog. Fortunately, Farrell was able to pull them both to safety.

He recalled being on a bear hunting trip in South Carolina when he heard about the assignation of JFK after stopping for gas on the way home.  He recounted swimming in the creek as a young person. On one occasion, his brother Marvin became trapped under a fallen tree due to the rushing, high water. Farrell managed to help free him and get out of the water before they both drowned.

Farrell defied the odds after surviving a near fatal accident in 1988 when his left arm was almost dismembered and he was airlifted to UNC hospital requiring multiply surgeries. He saw this terrible accident as an opportunity to be a witness for the Lord.

God “broke the mold” after he created Farrell Lambert. He was a one-of-a-kind man who was all tough on the outside but soft on the inside.  He made quite an impact on everyone he met. His advice to people was to follow what the Bible says in Matthew 6:33; “But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” When asked what he wanted people to remember about him, he replied, “First of all that I loved the Lord, and tried to win people to Jesus.”

Memorial contributions may be made to the Beulah Baptist Church Building Fund.

If you have a special memory or something that you would like to share with his family, please write or e-mail to Janelle Tally, 2196 NC Hwy. 42, Goldston, NC 27252 or jtally@chatham.k12.nc.us.

The family would like to thank First Health Moore Regional Hospital and First Health Hospice for providing such special care and comfort.

Joyce-Brady Chapel is honored to serve the Lambert Family.