Nelda Giles Lambert

Nelda Faye Giles Lambert went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, July 16, 2013. She was born on November 9, 1938 in Halfway, Texas, to J. E. and Alma Faye Giles. She was Valedictorian of her graduating class of Bridgeport High School and a graduate of Decatur Baptist College (now Dallas Baptist University). She married the love of her life, Floyd (Stack) W. Lambert on August 10, 1956 in Pleasant View Baptist Church in Bridgeport. They had their first daughter Denise and shortly thereafter moved to McKinney where their second daughter Michelle was born.

Nelda retired from Austin College after 32 years. She was awarded the Homer P. Rainey award for Outstanding Achievement and Service to Austin College, one of the first non-faculty recipients. Upon her retirement in 1998, a scholarship fund was established in her name.

Nelda and Stack were devoted to their faith, serving at Parkside Baptist Church. They organized and let 17 mission trips in the construction of churches throughout the United States. She was also a dedicated Sunday School teacher.

She was preceded in death by her parents, one sister, Sue Rowe, one brother-in-law Jimmie Hefner and nephew-in-law David Redmerski.

She is survived by her husband, Stack of 56 years; her daughters Denise Vree and her husband Paul of Odessa, Texas and Michelle Robbins and husband Britton of McKinney, Texas, her grandchildren whom she adored, John and Krista Robbins, Michael and Erica Robbins, Aaron and Amanda Vree, Andrew Vree, Adam Vree, Alex Vree and Abby Vree. She just recently welcomed the three newest joys of her life, her great-granddaughters, Kate and Annelise Robbins and Holly Robbins. She is also survived by her two sisters, Jean Fowler and husband Johnny and Jo Linda Garrett and husband Robert, as well as 11 nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be her grandsons.

Services for Nelda will be Friday, July 19th, 10:00 am at Parkside Baptist Church with Dr. Chet Haney, Rev. Thomas Beall and Rev. Jerry Coffman officiating. Interment will be held at 2:30 pm at Thomas Cemetery, Bridgeport, Texas. Visitation will be held on Thursday, July 18, from 6:00 – 8:00 pm at Bratcher Funeral Home in Denison.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Parkside Baptist Church, Recreation Outreach Center.