Welcome to the
memorial page for
Mary Virginia Perkins Lambert
March 3, 1943
~January 24, 2023
OBITUARY
SERVICE DETAILS
Mary Virginia Perkins Lambert, affectionately known as "Cookie" to her hometown family and friends, was born on March 3, 1943 in Lenior, NC to Clara Mae (Perkins) Rutherford and Eugene Dixon. She departed this earth peacefully at Monmouth Medical Center on Tuesday, January 24, 2023, with her family surrounding her.
Mary moved to NJ when she was 18 in pursuit of a career in nursing. She attended Monmouth County Vocational School and became a Licensed Practical Nurse. She later attended Brookdale Community College where she earned a degree in Respiratory Therapy. She was a Respiratory Therapist at Monmouth Medical Center where she retired after 40+ years. She was also employed at Brookdale Community College as a Respiratory Therapist lab instructor where she finally retired after 30+ years in December 2021.
Mary was a long-time member of Second Baptist Church where she served on multiple ministries including usher board, first aid, Pastors aid, health education, evangelist, senior praise dance, sunday school and vacation bible school. She was a faithful servant who truly loved the Lord.
Mary was predeceased by her husband John (Peanut) Lambert, her mother Clara Mae Rutherford, her father Eugene Dixon, her sister Sharon Jo Chapman, stepfather Amos Rutherford and 3 aunts Aunt Jo, Irene Williams and Lila Gilliard.
Mary leaves to cherish her precious memory her children James Lambert, Rodger Lambert, Patricia Brown (NC) and Clara Lambert; her grandchildren Michael, Sherrayine, John, Rodger, Adrienne, Aryahn, Sharee and Nehemiah; great-grandchildren Michael Jr., NiKayla, Makayla, Mikey, Malik, Mayer, Alexandria and Jacob; siblings James Perkins, Florence Corpening, Charles Perkins and Sandra Stinson all of North Carolina; and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins; special appreciation to Sharon Dean, Dottie Gilliard and Kevin Gilliard.
I am sad that I could not be there to pay my respects! Mrs. Lambert was one of the nicest people that you could know!
I am going to miss seeing her smile and encountering her good spirit!
Her initials “M V. P” and she was, truly, a “Most Valuable Player” of this life!
Wherever a Beautiful soul has been there will be a trail of beautiful memories. In memory of a life beautiful lived that will be held your hearts forever.
Yusef & Joyce Quarles
Prayers and love comforting Spirit be with you all as you travel throughout this time
Mary was a treasured member of the Health Sciences Department here at Brookdale. She always had a smile and a kind hello. She will be greatly missed.
“Death leaves a pain that no one can heal,
but love leaves a memory that no one can steal.” An old Irish quote; author unknown.
Fond Farewell, Mary. I will miss your smile and conversations.
Diane Booker, MSN, Nursing Faculty, Brookdale Community College
A poem for my adopted Grandmother.
You can shed tears that she is gone.
Or you can smile because she has lived.
You can close your eyes and pray that she’ll come back,
Or you can open your eyes and see all she’s left.
Your heart can be empty because you can’t see her,
Or you can be full of the love you shared.
You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday,
Or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday.
You can remember her and only that she’s gone,
Or you can cherish her memory and let it live on.
You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back,
Or you can do what she’d want: smile, open your eyes, love, and go on.