Promoted to Glory
1923-2018
Late Sunday night November 18, 2018, Mom slipped away quietly into the arms of Jesus, joining many dearly departed family in the Great Cloud of Witnesses.
Elizabeth was born June 14, 1923 to Captain and Mrs John Bivans, Salvation Army Officers, in Durham, N.C.
She was the first born of seven, later joined by sisters: Violet, Dorothy, Ruth, Florence, Grace and brother Samuel. This lovely family lived in the beautiful Carolinas. Elizabeth graduated from Central High School in Charlotte, N.C. Shortly there-after, her parents were transferred to Tulsa, OK in 1941.
Being the oldest, she was always a role-model. All the children helped with the Corps activities, each learning to play horns in the band, singing together in beautiful harmonies, teaching Sunday School and participating in the Open Air Street Meetings.
Elizabeth accepted Christ as her Savior when she was seven years of age, and never turned back. The Lord called her to Salvation Army Officership and she entered The Salvation Army Training College in Atlanta, GA. Commissioned in the Liberty Session 1944, her first appointment was secretary to Commissioner William C. Arnold, Southern Territorial Commander, 1944-1946.
Commissioner Arnold officiated at her wedding to Herman G. Lambrecht Jr. (aka: Tex) June 17, 1946, in Tulsa, OK. She and Tex were appointed to Okmulgee, OK, followed by Corps appointments in Alabama, Georgia and Virginia, Tex and Elizabeth conducted Evangelistic Services throughout the Central, Eastern and Southern Territories of the Salvation Army.
Elizabeth served as executive secretary to various Salvation Army commands and worked with Salvation Army Officers including: Colonel Ernest Pickering, Col. Gordon Swyers Sr. and others who were great influencers in the Salvation Army’s Southern Territory.
Elizabeth and Tex were in charge of the Jackson, MS Corps and served as Texas Divisional Evangelists. In 1991, they opened the Boca Raton, FL Corps, and received the official corps flag from General Eva Burroughs.
Tex was Promoted to Glory in 1992. Elizabeth then served as administrative assistant to three area commanders in West Palm Beach, FL: Major Omer McKinney, Major Tom Overton and Major Charles Smith.
Elizabeth was rightfully proud of her three children. Buzz, a former SA officer, and UMC pastor, recently retired. Becky, a former SA officer is a licensed minister in the Assemblies of God, and has a Doctorate in Christian Counseling. John is a professional driver, and occasional singer/songwriter, playing guitar in the Richardson Church of the Nazarene Worship Band.
Elizabeth retired in 2002, residing in Christian Manor Apartments, West Palm Beach, FL.
She was preceded to Glory by her parents, husband (Tex), and sisters Violet Eaton, Florence Swyers, Ruth Doliber and Grace Dearin.
Elizabeth is survived by her sister Major Dorothy Rickard Ret. in Atlanta, GA, brother Major Sam Bivans Ret. in Greenville, NC., her children: Buzz Lambrecht in Wichita, KS., John Lambrecht in Rockwall, TX., Becky Selman in Columbia, MS., and eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
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