Forrest L Lambert

Lambert Jr., Forrest Lee, 86, of Tampa passed away on Thursday, January 20, 2011. He was born in Highlawn, West Virginia on June 6, 1924 to Forrest Lee Lambert, Sr. and Reba Beard Lambert. Was raised in Washington, DC where he grew up. After graduating from Eastern High School in 1943 he joined the US Navy Reserve. During WWII he was stationed in the south pacific at the ship port of New Caledonia from 1943-1946. Through his hard work he achieved the rank of first class petty officer. After WWII, Forrest returned home and worked for Macke Vending Co. He transferred to the Greensboro NC area where he met and fell in love with Billie Hilliard Moore at one of the local business. Billie had three children from her first marriage, Perry age 9, Mike age 6 and Steve age 3. After six months of dating Forrest and Billie got married on March 30, 1956 in Greensboro, NC. Forrest’s work led his new family to the Lynchburg, VA area for the next 10 years. The family joined the Thomas Road Baptist Church in Lynchburg, VA, which was pastored by Rev Jerry Falwell back then. Forrest left Lynchburg and came to Tampa to pursue a better life for his family in 1966. He got a job with Automatic Merchandising Vending Company. The family settled in the Town’n Country area of Tampa and joined the West Gate Baptist Church on Kelly Rd. He retired from Automatic and later worked part time for Wometco Vending Co in Drew Park. His last job, Forrest was a courier for the Mercantile Bank from 1998-2005. With what little time he had free he loved to watch football and baseball with his family. He also loved to listen to Big Band music and Country music. Forrest is predeceased by his parents Forrest Sr. and Reba Lambert of Washington, DC; sister Betty Thomas of Germantown, MD; stepson, Michael Moore of Tampa, FL and his step grandson, Kirby Grayson of Plant City, FL. Forrest is survived by his wife of 54 years, Billie Hilliard Lambert, stepdaughter, Sylvia Grayson of Glen Allen, VA; two stepsons, Perry (Mary) Moore and Stephen Moore both of Tampa, FL; six step granddaughters, Terri (Steve) Cheney, Robin Grayson, Sandra Webb, Joni Moncure, Debra (Alan) Gaskins, and Shannon (Rich) Nicol; seven step great-grandchildren; step nieces, Brenda McDonald and Diane Williams; step nephews, Dewey (Jo) Hilliard, Bing (Barbara) Hilliard, Audrey Lee Hilliard and Philip Hilliard; sister Ruth Sims of Moseley, VA; two nephews, Gary (Joyce) Sims and Donald Thomas; two great grandnieces Emily and Bethany Sims. The family would like to thanks our relatives, church friends, Pastor Pirt, family friends, neighbors, and co-workers for their love, support and prayers during Forrest’s illness. A special thanks goes out to Debbie Kennedy and Shirlee Sabattini for their help and assistance with Mom during Dad’s illness. You both have a special place in our hearts. The family will receive friends from 9-10am, Saturday, January 29, 2011 at the West Gate Baptist Church. The church is located at 5121 Kelly Road, Tampa, FL. Funeral services will follow at 10 AM. Forrest will be laid to rest at Hillsboro Memorial Gardens in Brandon, FL at 11:30am with military honors. A special thanks goes to LifePath Hospice of Tampa for all their help. They are located at 3010 West Azeele Street in Tampa, FL 33609. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to LifePath Hospice in Forrest’s name. Please visit www.marsicanofh.com to sign the online guestbook where your words of comfort may be expressed.