Bessie Phelps Lambert was born on June 3, 1940, in McComb, MS, and went to be with the Lord on May 29, 2021, at age 80 in Tylertown, MS. She had been a resident of Diversicare for almost 4 years.

She is preceded in death by her beloved husband of 30 years, DG Lambert; parents George Christopher and Anner Evelyn Phelps; siblings Irby, Cullen, Lloyd, Mary Lou Avery and Phyllis Sullivan; and best friend Martha McKinley.

She is survived by her children, Jackie (Tom Clark), Daniel (Holly), and Greg (Gwen); grandchildren Jessica, Hal (Stephanie) Niemeyer, Trae, Faith, Kye Lambert, Matthew and William Woolbert, and Seth Lambert; great grandsons Eli Niemeyer and Riley Woolbert; brother Chris (Judy); special nephew George Irby (Beth); sisters-in-law Joan Lambert, Janice Phelps; brother-in-law Paul Sullivan; and a host of beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins. She will be missed by her Diversicare Family, including her very good friend Terry Falks and all the other staff and residents who made her days exciting.

Bessie attended Fernwood High School and was a bookkeeper at McCrorys, Whites, West Building Materials, Blossman, Thrift Home Care and Pump & Save. When she and DG first married, they owned Lamberts' Grocery in Magnolia where she cut meat and cheese for lunches for the local workers and sold penny candy from the large candy display to the local kids who rode down on their bikes to get candy, moon pies, and a coke.

She was a band mom and athletic supporter, attending many football, baseball, and softball games. She was devoted mom and grandmother. She would sometimes "sneak off" before the days of cellphones with her best friend, Martha McKinley, and no one knew what they got in to.

She also loved camping and went for 2-week vacations every summer when the children were young. The camping days ended abruptly when she and DG accidentally left one of the children in a service station in New Mexico. (The child was quickly returned to her family.) She visited many areas of the United States, but her dream vacation to Hawaii was made possible by her cousin Martha Dillon.

Bessie loved Jesus and took every opportunity to share his love with everyone she met. She was a dedicated, lifelong member of Navilla Baptist Church, where she taught GAs, Sunday School, Discipleship Training, Vacation Bible School, and Bible Drill. She enjoyed being around youth and was on the Youth Committee. Bessie, to her own children's disbelief, played Santa at church. They only found out this information this week. She worked in the nursery and held and spoiled every child that came through. She loved singing in the choir and still remembered the words to the songs even after her stroke.

Bessie lit up every room she entered and never met a stranger. She loved dancing and taught many co-workers and friends to do the twist and line dance. She also enjoyed reading, listening to Elvis Presley, playing card games, especially canasta with her good friend Mary Evelyn Linton, putting together puzzles, and playing dominos and bunco (often accused, but never caught, cheating).

Bessie enjoyed making beautiful birthday and wedding cakes. She knew every restaurant within driving distance and loved "Fat City". She believed she was a matchmaker, attempting to match many couples, mostly unsuccessfully. She was an avid reader and even read books aloud to her children, so they could complete their assignments in school. She also loved playing (if you call both of them sleeping in the recliner playing) with her pets Bob, who was the favorite, Harry, and granddog Fritz, all dachshunds.

Visitation will be at Sharkey Funeral Home on Tuesday from 5-8 p.m. Visitation will resume on Wednesday at 9 at Navilla Baptist Church on Old Hwy 24 with the service at 11, followed by a burial in the Navilla Baptist Church Cemetery. Bro. Trent Bilbo and George Phelps will officiate. Music will be provided by Dana Rand, Beth Phelps, Alison Pannell, Karen Linton and Diana Ravencraft

Pallbearers will be William Pannell, Carl Linton, Carey Lambert, Darren Lambert, Les Fortenberry, Red Biggart, Gabe Sullivan, and Matthew Woolbert.

Feel free to wear purple, Bessie's favorite color, if you have it, as we celebrate her life. Masks are requested to be worn.