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Light a Candle
Louis Crosby Lambert, Jr. (“Sonny,” or “Lamb”) born in New York, New York on December 27, 1928 died peacefully in his sleep on November 20, 2016 at Lyons Veterans Hospital in Lyons NJ. He was 87 years old. On November 28, 2016, in accordance with Louis’ wishes, he was laid to rest beside his mother, and with the ashes of his beloved wife Edythe cradled in his arms, at Macedonia AME Zion Church in Gulf, NC.
He attended Columbia University with an architecture major, but withdrew prior to graduating in order to support his growing family. Prior to that, he was in the US Armed forces, serving in Occupied Japan. And prior to that, he graduated from the esteemed NY Music and Arts High School. At the age of 16, Louis married Miriam Singleton, enlisted in the Army, and at 17 became a father to Louis Crosby Lambert, III. Their young marriage was annulled, but Sonny’s devotion to their son gave way to co-parenting with Miriam and her second husband.
Louis had many careers and occupations, however his passion was creating, engineering and building. He was an MP, Fire Marshall, railroad porter, and florist. He painted murals, and portraits and built and renovated homes. He was a master craftsman; a host of apprentices left his tutelage with highly marketable skills.
In 1953, Louis married the love of his life, Edythe Bruce Lambert. Together, they had three boys. Sadly, his drinking caused them to separate, and he missed his sons formidable years. Louis struggled with addiction until the day he stumbled into a church and passed out at the alter. The only thing he remembered was fervently praying that God would take the taste of alcohol from him; from that day forward, he never drank again. With his new sobriety, he reunited with his wife and more than made up for his past absences. They were married for 58 years until her death in 2011.
Louis was a member of the Allen AME church and along with Edythe, a founding member of the AME’s Marriage Enrichment Ministry. Through their testimony, they counseled young couples on commitment, a Christ centered marriage, and how their term for arguments -“intense fellowship” could enhance marriage. He was also a member of the First Baptist Church in Cranford, N.J.
He is survived by his four sons Louis Crosby Lambert-Walthall, III, Bruce Charlton Lambert, Wayne Alexander Lambert, and Jerold Craig Lambert, Sr., and daughter-in-laws Dorothy Walthall, Theda Harley Lambert and Peggy Lambert. He was blessed with grandchildren Louis Jahi Walthall, Michelle Walthall, Mica Walthall, Eva Marie Perry- Lambert, Wayne Alexander Perry, Thurston Lambert, Crosby Harley Lambert and Jerold Craig Lambert, Jr. Great grandchildren Taylor Inez Perry-Lambert, Danielle Ashley Pina, and Antoine Andre Pina. Nieces Pamela Lambert and Amy Bly and nephews Raymond Alphonzo Jr., and Charles Keith Lambert. He leaves behind many cousins, friends, and loved ones. He will be especially missed by his friend of 80 years, Bea Morse with whom he shared much laughter.
He is predeceased in life by his loving, beautiful and Christ centered wife, Edythe Bruce Lambert, his parents, Louis Crosby Lambert Sr., and Virginia Haulsey Lambert, and his siblings Willette Lambert and Raymond Alphonzo Lambert, Sr. In his last weeks here, he spoke often of reuniting with his loved ones. He was at peace with himself.
The family wishes to express much gratitude to the Cranford police, fire and emergency services personnel who in Louis’ last few years, rescued him on numerous occasions, always with the highest degree of professionalism, respect and kindness.
