Buddy Thomas Lambert

Buddy Thomas Lambert, age 89, of Alcoa, TN, beloved husband of Lillian Marie Duckett, passed away on Monday November 28, 2022. Buddy was born in Greenback, TN on August 29, 1933 to Floyd and Marie Lambert of Friendsville, TN.

After graduating from Friendsville High School, Buddy married Lillian Duckett, his high school sweetheart, and their 69-year journey together officially began.

Buddy received a call to duty in the US Army three years into their marriage. After completing his basic training in Colorado Springs, he was deployed to serve in Germany. As soon as Lillian arrived, she moved in with Buddy on base and stayed there until his honorable discharge in 1958.

Following their return from Germany, Buddy started working for Chapman Drug Company (now Cardinal Health) in Knoxville, Tennessee, where he spent more than 40 years in a variety of roles. He and Lillian also started their family together by having two children, Michael and Judy. After leaving Cardinal Health, he started working for DRS Groceries in Alcoa, Tennessee, where he mostly stocked shelves and made customers laugh.

Buddy’s love for people was heartfelt, warm and genuine, and he made friends everywhere he went. You couldn’t see Buddy or mention his name without a smile crossing your face. He loved to tell his grandkids, Nathan, Christa and Derek silly “Dad Jokes” that normally would not be funny, but when Buddy told them you couldn’t help but crack up.

Buddy was a disciple of Christ, a man who loved the Lord and loved his church. Not only will Buddy be missed by his family, but also by his brothers and sisters at Madison Avenue Baptist Church in Maryville.

Buddy was preceded in death by his parents, Floyd Thomas Lambert and Willie Marie Lambert, brothers Floyd (Junior) Lambert Jr. and Glenn Lambert, sisters Wanda Whetsell and Lois Fletcher and Great-Granddaughter Lydia Wenger.

In addition to his wife, Lillian, Buddy is survived by his son and daughter-in-law Michael and Teresa Lambert and daughter and son-in-law, Fred and Judy Bowers of Maryville. His sister, Peggy Burris of Jefferson City TN, brothers Don Lambert of Maryville, Harold Lambert of Flintstone, GA and David Lambert of Fayetteville, GA. Grandsons, Nathan Lambert and Derek Bowers, granddaughter Christa Wenger, grandson-in-law Josh Wenger, granddaughter-in-law Kristina Lambert, great-grandchildren Abby, Elijah, Lilly, Josiah and Aliza.

Receiving of friends to be held at Madison Avenue Baptist Church in Maryville on Thursday, December 1 between 5:30-7:00pm. Funeral Service immediately following with Dr Greg Heisler officiating. We will reconvene on Friday, December 2 at Big Springs Presbyterian Church Cemetery for a 11:00am Interment. Smith Funeral & Cremation Service, Maryville, 865-983-1000, www.SmithFuneralandCremation.com