Mary Elayne Lambert

Mary Elayne Lambert was born in Richlands VA on April 26, 1952. She was the only daughter of Bill Lambert and Allene Sparks Lambert. Elayne grew up in the Tazewell VA community and graduated from Tazewell High School. Following high school she set out to Massachusetts for college and the beginning of a life that took her through Tennessee, Illinois and back to Tennessee. Elayne touched so many lives through her genuine witness for Christ and her love for children. She completed Bible College in Tennessee and worked as an early childhood development specialist here. In Illinois she served as a special education support specialist for the school districts surrounding Peoria IL. In this capacity Elayne gave herself to the care and development of children with special needs. She won the hearts of children and adults alike with her unique capacity to give herself to a child or family and support them through the tough challenges they faced. The last year of Elayne’s life she resided at the Christian Care Center in Blountville, TN. While living at the Center Elayne became an advocate for the residents there and gave herself to the support and encouragement of the senior residents in the same manner she gave herself to children in her earlier years. She was committed to the ministry of encouragement and outreach in the Center and the folks there loved her dearly. Elayne was a member of Shekinah Church in Blountville, TN at the time of her death.

Elayne is survived by her brother Jim Lambert (Jane), nieces Alicia Lambert Harman (B.J.), Leigh Lambert Vance (Jamie), nephew David Lambert (Jessica), great nephews C.J. Whitt, John Lambert (Laura), Isaac Doss and great nieces Savannah Miller and Sage Lambert, and great-great nephew Justin Whitt. She is also survived by her dear friend Geneva Newbern and grandson Kendall Johnson, Jr. She was preceded in death by her grandparents Leslie and Mary Lou Sparks and William Lambert, Sr. and Mary Lambert, her father Bill Lambert, mother Allene Sparks Lambert and her brother John Wayne Lambert.

In lieu of flowers and gifts the family asked that monetary gifts be made to Elayne’s Memorial Fund at Shekinah Church. Checks made to Shekinah Church and memo stating Elayne’s Memorial Fund. Mail to 394 Glory Rd., Blountville, TN 37617.

She will be buried in a private family burial on the family farm in Thompson Valley, Tazewell, VA on Monday Dec. 21st at 10:00 am.

A Celebration of Life service will be held in the sanctuary of Shekinah Church, 394 Glory Rd., Blountville, TN 37617 on Monday December 28th at 7:00 pm. The community is invited with the request that you wear your mask and social distance.