Thurman Lambert, age 95, of South Rockwood, went home to be with the Lord Sunday, February 15, 2026.
Thurman was born December 11, 1930, he was the son of John and Dessie (Sandifer) Lambert. Thurman married the love of his life Ruth Bussell on October 10, 1952. They have had 73 wonderful years of marriage and raised their three children, Leallen, Marvin "Buzz" and Linda.
He was a US Army veteran, serving his country with pride and honor during the Korean War from 1951 until his honorable discharge in 1953. He earned the expert rifle medal and received the bronze star service medal.
Thurman was employed by Monsanto Chemical Company for 38 years before retiring in 1994. He always took pride in his work and gave his all no matter what job he was asked to do.
Thurman was saved and baptized at a young age. He was a member of Union Street Missionary Baptist Church in Monroe, Michigan. He was also a member of the Monsanto Quarter Century Club and Hiram Findlater Masonic Lodge 110 F. & A.M., Flat Rock, Michigan, he had received his 60 year membership pin and certificate in April 2025.
He loved to play and sing bluegrass music with the guitar and mandolin whenever he had the opportunity, and he was a song leader at church for many years. He was an avid gardener, who loved to raise vegetables and always had an ample supply that he shared with family and friends. After many years he turned his passion into mowing grass, he loved mowing with his John Deere mower.
Thurman always had a story to tell, especially about when he was growing up. Whether it was about riding his bike across the mountain to Middlesboro, riding down the hill with his pet goat (Billy) in a wagon or about fishing under a big sycamore tree and dam at Bill Nash's mill. Sadly, those stories began to fade as Thurman got older but those that heard the stories will always cherish those memories.
Thurman is survived by his wife Ruth, Son, Marvin "Buzz" (Vickie) Lambert; daughter, Linda (Ron) Earl; daughter -in-law, Vanessa Lambert; sister, Vivian (Junior) Frye; three grandchildren, Jessica (Walter) Bahny, Richard (Jami) Earl and Lindsey (Matthew) Foley; four great grandchildren, Luke and Logan Earl and Eli and Mahala Foley.
He is preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Hazel, Naomi, June, Edna and Eula; brothers, Ethern, Leamon and Arvil and a son, Leallen.
Visitation will be held Thursday, February 19, 2026 from 4 to 8 p.m. at Bacarella Funeral Home, 1201 S. Telegraph Rd., Monroe, MI 48161, where a Masonic service will be held at 6 p.m. Services will be held at the funeral home beginning at 1 p.m. Friday with VFW Post 1138 providing military honors and Rev. Matthew Foley and Rev. Ron Morgan officiating the funeral service. Burial will follow at Riverside Cemetery, South Rockwood.
Memorial contributions are suggested to Union Street Missionary Baptist Church.
Thurman will be greatly missed by his many friends and loved ones.
Online condolences and special memories may be shared with the family by visiting the obituary page at www.bacarellafuneralhome.com .