Barbara Hays Lamb

Barbara Irene Hays Lamb

July 22, 1931- April 1, 2025

Barbara Hays Lamb, a cherished mother, wife, grandmother, and friend, passed away at home on April 1, 2025, at 12:15 a.m. at the age of 93 after a brief illness.

Barbara dedicated her life to her family as a full-time homemaker. She is survived by her children and their spouses: Bruce Lamb and Tracey McKee of Baton Rouge, Suzanne and Jose’ Rodriguez of Johnston, SC, and Kate and Bill Abraham of Pass Christian, MS. Her grandsons are James Stewart (Rhianna) of Moncks Corner, SC, and Nicholas Abraham of Spanish Fork, UT. She leaves behind five great-grandchildren: Fiona, Claire, Helen, Kenneth, and Lillian Stewart. Her siblings include Beverly Lyberger, Dianne Kuper, Diana Williams (Bill), Linda Stark (Steve) and Marty Hays (Jennifer), along with many nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her beloved husband and eternal companion, James McKennie Lamb, Jr., as well as her parents, Howard and Iona Hays, and two of her sisters, Betty Mollman and Peggy Thomas.

Barbara was the eldest of eight children born in Annapolis, Maryland and raised in the Severna Park, Maryland area. After graduating from Annapolis High School in 1948, she worked at the Baltimore Gas and Electric Company. Barbara married her true love, Kennie, in 1950. His employment took the family several places bringing them to Baton Rouge, Louisiana in 1968 where she resided almost continuously until 2021 when she relocated to Pass Christian, MS to be close to family.

Barbara's devotion to her faith was evident throughout her life. As a committed member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, she dedicated many years to serving in various capacities. She worked with children in Sunday School and Primary, guided Young Adults in youth programs, and held numerous positions within the Relief Society organization for women. Barbara cherished the community within her local ward, offering her time and skills to assist anyone in need. Her daily routine included reading scriptures without fail, and she could often be found engaged in study and prayer.

Next to her dedication to family and church, Barbara had a profound passion for needlearts. As an accomplished seamstress, she created all her own clothing and worked professionally as a custom dressmaker. She was an active member of several quilting guilds in Baton Rouge, constructing beautiful quilts until her health prevented her from continuing. Barbara produced numerous quilts for family, friends, and charitable organizations. Additionally, she collaborated with her daughter to create costumes for various productions at Opera Louisiane, Baton Rouge Little Theater, and LSU School of Music. Her exceptional skills with needle and thread were widely recognized, and she generously shared her expertise by teaching others how to sew, knit, crochet, and embroider.

Barbara will be remembered by all who knew her as a beautiful and gifted woman, a devoted mother and friend to all those with whom she came in contact treating everyone as family. She was truly an example of grace and love.

Visitation will take place on Thursday, April 10, 2025, at Lee A. Patterson Funeral Home in Perryville, MD, at 10:00 a.m., followed by a brief service and burial at Hopewell Cemetery in Port Deposit, MD.

Thank you to Jason Green with Riemann Family Funeral Homes in Mississippi for handling all arrangements.

Special thanks to Ruth Ladner and the entire staff of Arden Hospice for their support and kindness.