Virginia Smith Lam-beth of Bradenton, died peacefully on Thursday, May 12, 2011 of cancer. She was born December 12, 1919, in Arcadia, Florida, daughter of the late Grace Gilbert Smith and Cook Hall Smith. She was predeceased by her husband John Addison Lambeth, Sr. Mrs. Lambeth was valedictorian of her graduating class at De-soto High School and attended Florida Southern College. Before her retirement, she was a realtor and served as President of the Manatee County Board of Realtors. As a long time member of Palma Sola Presbyterian Church, she served on many Boards there and was active in the life of the church. She was a member of the DAR, the Contemporary Book Club, and the Bradenton Country Club. Mrs. Lambeth's interests were many and varied. She was a world-wide traveler, an avid reader, a wonderful cook, and an accomplished bridge player. She will be remembered for her strength of character, her courage in the face of any hardship, her generous spirit, her optimism, and her keen intelligence. In addition to her parents and husband, Mrs. Lambeth was also predeceased by her brother Chesterfield H. Smith and sister-in-law Jane Lambeth Spilman. She is survived by her brother The Honorable Gilbert A. Smith, Sr. (Alpha) and her five children: Mary Jane Fuller of Memphis, TN; Susan Lambeth Blabey (David) of Delmar, NY; John Addison Lambeth, Jr. of Lexington, VA; Lynne Lambeth Huyer (Tom) of Leiderdorp, The Netherlands; and Deborah Lambeth Jones (Ted) of Punta Gorda. She is also survived by eight grandchildren, four great grandchildren, and eight nieces and nephews. Services will be at Palma Sola Presbyterian Church on Monday, May 16, 2011, at 11:00 am. Visitation with the family will be at 10 a.m. at the church preceding the service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Manatee County Library Foundation or to a charity of one's choice.
Published in The Herald on May 14, 2011