HELENA-WEST HELENA — Martha Kelly Lambert of Helena, Ark.,
passed away on April 18, 2021, at 91 years of age.
She was predeceased by her parents, Thaddeus Robertson Kelly and Ariadne Wood Kelly; her brother, Thaddeus Robertson Kelly, Jr.; her sister, Ann Kelly Allin, and her husband, Jordan Bennet Lambert Jr.
She is survived by her children, Mary Lambert, Ann Lambert Waits, Jordan Bennett Lambert III, and Blanche Lambert Lincoln; her grandchildren, Macon Waits Hossley, Katie Lambert, Krystin Lambert, Jordan Lambert Gary, Karoline Lambert, Reece Lincoln, and Bennett Lincoln; and her great-grandchildren, Baylor Hossley, and Benton Hossley.
Martha grew up in Helena in the 1930s in a loving family with two older siblings. She was then, and for all her life, a joyful child dedicating her life to her family and friends. She took great joy and pride in serving her lifelong community of Helena with her leadership in the Phillips County Community Foundation, Helena-West Helena Public Schools, Junior Auxiliary, American Red Cross and St. John’s Episcopal Church, along with the Arkansas Episcopal Church Women Statewide.
She graduated from Helena High School and The University of Arkansas, where she was a member of Chi Omega sorority. In 1950 she married Jordan Bennett Lambert Jr, her high school sweetheart. When he completed his service in the U.S. military, they returned to Helena where they raised four children. Martha was never too busy or too tired to participate in the lives of her children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, godchildren and great-grandchildren.
She traveled the state of Arkansas and across the continental U.S. to help with weddings, birthday parties, gardens, medical emergencies, babysitting responsibilities, church conventions, sporting events and sorority initiations. She helped to run successful political campaigns and she tap-danced with Hollywood choreographers.
She kept the books for the Lambert farming operations and there was always room at her dinner table for friends, relatives and friends of friends! “Life is what you make it” was her lifelong motto. Caring about others was what her life was about. She tried to make life happy and wonderful for everyone she came in contact with. She had a special practice that came to be known as “cookie diplomacy,” which proved that baked goods are a useful remedy for many of society’s ills. She brought joy and hope to many people. She was loved by many and blessed us all. She will be greatly missed.
Our family would like to especially thank all of the wonderful people at Presbyterian Village in Little Rock for their thoughtful and professional care, along with their amazing kindness and compassion in caring for our Mother in her last couple of years.
Funeral services to celebrate Mar’s life will be held for close family and friends in Helena at St. John’s Episcopal Church on Thursday, April 22, 2021, at 1 p.m., followed by burial at Maple Hill Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please rejoice with us in giving to Presbyterian Village, 510 Brookside Lane, Little Rock, Ark. 72205 or St. John’s Episcopal Church, 625 Pecan Street, Helena, Ark. 72342. Arrangements are under the direction of Ruebel Funeral Home. An online condolence book may be signed at RuebelFuneralHome.com.