James Donald Lambert,

89, of Smackover, passed away Friday, February 19, 2021. Born on August 28, 1931, to parents Minor A. and Pauline Milner Lambert. He is survived by his wife, Marvelene Martin Lambert and children, Joe Martin Lambert of Smackover, and Polly Polk and husband Travis of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., grandchildren, Mason Martin Lambert, and Jordan Elaine Lambert of Lenexa, Kan., and Audrey Elizabeth Vigue (Noah) of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., sisterin-law, Elouise Carroum Lambert of Snyder, Texas, and brother-inlaw, Van Martin of Smackover. He is preceded in death by his parents, brother, Minor Derald Lambert, stepfather, George Arthur Chambers, and sister-inlaw, Sarah Martin.

Don was a graduate of Smackover High School, class of ‘49, and the University of Arkansas and served in the United States Air Force with the 87th Troop Carrier Wing in Korea in 195253. He has been a member of the First Baptist Church since 1940 and served as Deacon and Sunday School teacher. He owned Lambert’s Department Store for 30 years and was the orga

nizing director of the Arkansas Museum of Natural Resources for its initial 18 years of operation. Don was the recipient of Arkansas Community Development Awards in 1992, an Award of Appreciation from the Arkansas Legislature and the Senate in 2002, named as Smackover’s Outstanding Citizen on three occasions and received the National Little League Baseball Outstanding Service Award for the State of Arkansas in 1967 and a Special Commendation Award for 18 years of service and as president of the Arkansas South Tourism Association.

He served two terms as Smackover’s Mayor and was instrumental in organizing the Pine Hills Country Club, serving as president for 15 years. He served on the Board of Directors of the Union County Community Foundation and the Smackover High School Scholarship Committee. Don was regarded as a “Smackover Historian” and contributed Around Town columns in the Smackover Journal and later to several recipients through his email column.

A memorial graveside service will be held at 1 p.m., Saturday, March 6, 2021, at Cross Roads Cemetery under the direction of Young’s Funeral Directors. Memorial can be made to First Baptist Church, 201 West Seventh, Smackover, Ark., 71762, or to the Smackover Public Library, 700 North Broadway, Smackover, Ark., 71762. Condolences may be made online at: www.youngsfuneralhome.com.