Betty Jo Lambert

Mrs. Betty Jo Frazier Lambert, 92, passed away Thursday September 12, 2024. She was born October 21, 1931 in Leaksville (Eden), NC to the late Charles Rucker Frazier and Alice Virginia Jones Frazier. In addition to her parents, Mrs. Lambert was preceded in death by her loving Husband of sixty-six years, Rev. James Matthew Lambert, and her brothers, Rev. Dr. Milton Gray Frazier and Kenneth Gordon Frazier. She is survived by her two sons, Stephen Matthew Lambert (Banner Elk, NC) and James Blake Lambert (Greensboro, NC); her grandchildren, Bianca Lambert (Josh) Davis, and Ian Matthew (Jennifer) Lambert; and her great-grandchildren, Isabella Greene and Olive Davis. 

Mrs. Lambert graduated from Leaskville High School in 1951, and attended Mars Hill College, 1951-1952. Choosing to delay further education to start a family, her partnership in life and ministry officially began on August 30th 1952, at Spray Baptist Church, when she married Rev. Jim Lambert, with her new father-in-law, Rev. Fletcher Lambert officiating. 

Mrs. Lambert served with her husband in the following churches in North Carolina in the early years: Siloam Baptist, in Siloam (1952-54); Grace Baptist, in Madison (1952-55); Antioch Baptist and Berry's Grove Baptist, in Timberlake (1955-58); Scotts Creek Baptist, in Sylva (1958-66); and Mills Home Baptist, on the campus of the Baptist Children's Home, in Thomasville (1966-73). Throughout these years, Mrs. Lambert was very active in church activities, classes and the choir, usually not out front, but as part of the congregation. As her children grew to school age, Mrs. Lambert became more involved in teaching (and assisting) in early childhood education. From 1968-1973 she served as a Teacher at the Baptist Children’s Homes Child Development Center in Thomasville, with overlapping duties as a Teacher’s Aide at Colonial Drive School and as an EASA Tutor. 

 In 1973, Mrs. Lambert returned to the mountains, where she served as Secretary-Receptionist in Boone, as Rev. Lambert traveled most days as an Area Missionary for the Baptist State Convention of NC, serving as a liaison between the Convention and the churches of sixteen Associations in nine counties of Northwestern NC.

At 44, after decades of postponing her own education, Mrs. Lambert attended Appalachian State University, earning numerous credits in a wide range of studies toward an Early Childhood Education degree. However, her family’s needs brought her back to home and part-time teaching.

In 1986, Mrs. Lambert moved to Cary, where Rev. Lambert became the Administrative Associate for Minister Support for the Baptist State Convention, until retirement in 1995. They enjoyed many summers hosting their beloved grandchildren for weeks or months at a time, spending most days around the swimming pool and among the flowers in the garden. After moving to King to be near family, the couple thrived while attending the Young at Heart seniors' weekly Bible study at King First Baptist, and enjoyed visiting and singing for the elderly. They loved driving through the countryside to look at other homes and gardens among the foothills and mountains they cherished.

In 2008, Rev. & Mrs. Lambert were founding volunteers for the Carolina Century Ride & Roll at Gospel Baptist Church in Greensboro, serving variously over about a decade, doing hard work, but more importantly welcoming participants home to ask each one, "Tell us the story of your ride!" 

Over her long life of vitality, Mrs. Lambert enjoyed camping, hiking, and travel. She loved sharing good food and funny stories with lifelong friends from the early days of ministry, and with her family and neighbors. After Rev. Lambert’s passing, Mrs. Lambert kept herself occupied, but completely on her own schedule (or lack thereof). She preferred rising when she woke naturally, eating when she was hungry, going out to the garden a bit before dark and into the evening, reading her medical books and devotionals into the night (rarely watching television), and cleaning and arranging her house into the wee hours...if that was the way it went. This life was a respite from the schedules and commitments of the ministry, and she savored the days at home, always responding when asked, “No. I never get lonely or bored. There’s always so much to do!” 

A celebration of life will be held at 2:00pm Saturday September 21, 2024 at King First Baptist Church, 122 Kirby Road, King, NC. The family will receive guests following the service in the church fellowship hall. Mrs. Lambert will be laid to rest at Crestview Memorial Park in Rural Hall. Memorials may be made to the General Fund or Missions Fund of King First Baptist Church, PO Box 481, King, NC 27021.