Jimmie LaVonne (Smithey) Lambert

November 30, 1946 – August 28, 2026

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If there was a baseball or football game, you would find Jimmie in the stands, proudly cheering on her boys.

Jimmie Lavonne (Smithey) Lambert, 79, passed peacefully into the presence of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, surrounded by the love of her family.

Jimmie was a beloved wife, daughter, sister, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend. She was married to her devoted husband, Richard Lambert, and together they shared a life filled with family, love, and countless memories.

She is survived by her husband, Richard Lambert; her sons, Tommie (Maribeth) Gatlin and Bobby Gatlin Jr.; her grandchildren, Zachary (Taylor) Gatlin, Emily (Kevin) LaCroix, Alexandria Gatlin, Aaron Gatlin, and her great-grandchildren, Adrian Gatlin, Charlotte Gatlin, and Scottie LaCroix. Her sister’s Opel and Ann and many nieces and nephews.

Jimmie is also lovingly remembered by her niece, Suzi Dean Smithey, who faithfully cared for Jimmie and her husband, Richard, in their home during the past couple of years, especially through the challenges of their declining health. Her love, compassion, and devotion to them will always be remembered and deeply cherished by the family.

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Through her love, kindness, forgiveness, and willingness to help others, she showed her family what it meant to live with the grace of Christ.

Jimmie was an amazing wife, mother, and grandmother who had a heart for people. She was always willing to go out of her way to help others, often putting the needs of those around her before her own. She adored her grandchildren and treasured every opportunity to be part of their lives.

If there was a baseball or football game, you would find Jimmie in the stands, proudly cheering on her boys. She was their encourager, their supporter, and their biggest fan. Those memories of her cheering from the stands will be cherished by her family for generations to come.

But above all else, Jimmie loved Jesus.

Her faith was not simply something she talked about—it was something she lived. She modeled the grace and mercy of Jesus in countless ways, especially to her sons. Through her love, kindness, forgiveness, and willingness to help others, she showed her family what it meant to live with the grace of Christ.

While our hearts are broken by the loss of our beloved mother, grandmother, wife, and friend, we do not grieve as those who have no hope. We rejoice knowing that Jimmie is now in the presence of her Savior.

This isn’t the end of her story. In fact, it’s only just beginning.

She is more alive today than she ever was here on earth, because she is now in the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ, whom she loved and trusted throughout her life.

“To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord”

II Corinthians 5:8

As the Apostle Paul wrote:

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”

— 2 Timothy 4:7

Jimmie finished her race. She kept the faith.

And now, she is home.

Until we see you again, Mom. We love you.

Funeral Services will be held on Thursday, September 3, 2026 at 12:00 PM at Solan – Pruzin Funeral Home, 14 Kennedy Ave, Schererville, IN. Friends may visit 10:00 AM until time of service. Burial to follow at Concordia Cemetery in Hammond, IN.

In lieu of flowers, donations to IU Health Hospice Home at 2810 S. Deborah Dr.,  Bloomington, Indiana would be appreciated.