James Newton Lambert was born December 20, 1957 in Richlands, VA to Allene Sparks Lambert and Bill Lambert. James (Jim) “Jimmy” Lambert lived an energetic life full of love, laughter, smiles, and worship. He had an infectious personality, a kind, giving, compassionate heart, and he provided inspiration for many communities through his faith and service. He had been called to ministry since he was young, and he found himself back home in Tennessee (2003) and working alongside his wife, who is currently Senior Pastor at Shekinah Church in Blountville, TN.
Jimmy graduated from Tazewell High School and enjoyed his time on the football field as a
Bulldog. He received his B.A. from University of Illinois and M.A. in Counseling from Bradley
University in Peoria, IL. Jimmy served in ministry through music, teaching, and mentoring. He was a leader at Shekinah Bible Institute in Blountville, establishing branches in Hyderabad, India and Jakarta, Indonesia. He served as a Worship Minister wherever he was because he was “The
Lord’s Troubadour.” He was Worship Deacon for Trinity Mennonite Church in Morton, IL and
Pastor at Heartland Church in Groveland, IL for a season before returning to Kingsport to his old friends and family. Jimmy served in ministry with the population of NE Regional Correctional Facility in Mountain City, TN and he loved to encourage and mentor the men who lived there. Most recently he served with Jane as an Associate Pastor for Shekinah Church Ministries.
Jimmy served the community at large as Director of Neighborhood Development for the
City of Peoria, Prevention Coordinator & Foster Care Coordinator for Children’s Home Association of Illinois, and Crisis Intervention Specialist for youth at Catholic Social Services. Locally he served in Counseling and Intervention with Youth Villages and Omni in Tennessee. Wherever he went he encouraged children and families and did it out of his big heart. These are the works that most people knew him by, but his greatest joy was being David’s Dad and talking UT and Florida Gator sports with him. It was a banter fit for ESPN—The Pops and Dave Show.
Jimmy is survived by his wife Barbara Jane Lambert, son David Lambert (Jessica), Stepchildren James Kilgore (Whitney) and Amy Anders, grandchildren Michael and Savannah Hart, Abby
Anders, Lindsey Kilgore (Matt), Connor Kilgore, and great grandchildren, Presley and Holden.
Additionally, his nieces were Alicia Lambert Harman (B.J.), Leigh Lambert Vance (Jamie), great nephews C.J. Whitt, John Lambert (Laura), Isaac Doss, great nieces Savannah Miller and Sage Lambert, and great-great nephew Justin Whitt.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents Leslie and Mary Lou Sparks and William “Bill” Lambert, Sr. and Mary Gentile Lambert, his father and mother Bill and Allene Sparks Lambert, his brother John Lambert, and his sister Elayne Lambert.
The family will receive friends on Wednesday, March 24, 2021 from 1:00 to 2:00pm at the Shekinah Church, 394 Glory Road, Blountville, TN. A Celebration of Jimmy's life will follow at 2:00pm officiated by Doug Tweed.
Jimmy will be laid to rest at the church cemetery following the service. Friends and family will serve as pallbearers.
Family and friends will gather at the church following the graveside service.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to https://www.gofundme.com/f/jimlambert to assist them with extensive end of life care expenses.
