Paul "Rick" Lambert

Mr. Paul Richard ""Rick"" Lambert, 60, of Gulfport, Mississippi, passed away on Monday, July 23, 2012 after a brief illness. Services will be held at 4:00 p.m. at Trinity United Methodist Church, 5007 Lawson Avenue, Gulfport, with visitation from 2:00 p.m. until time of service, on Thursday, July 26, 2012. Burial will be held at Floral Hills Memorial Gardens in Gulfport immediately following the service.
He was preceded in death by his father, Buford Gibson Lambert of Hattiesburg, and his stepson, Wesley Symmes McCabe of Gulfport.
He is survived by his wife, Candice Symmes Lambert; three daughters, Elizabeth Lambert Garner, Emily Lambert Harden (Ted), and Erin Lambert Dornan (Patrick); two stepchildren, Brandy McCabe Hyde (Eric) and Tim McCabe; five grandchildren, Emily Garner, Laney Harden, Wesley Hyde, Elsie Hyde, and Jeffrey Hyde; his mother, Virgia Colville Lambert of Hattiesburg; two brothers, LeWayne Lambert of Huntsville, Alabama, and Terry Lambert of Hattiesburg; one sister, Glenda Lambert MacMullin of Arlington, Virginia; nine nieces and nephews; and many close friends he considered family.
Mr. Lambert was born on May 21, 1952. He was a graduate of Hattiesburg High School, where he lettered in track, basketball, and football. His classmates elected him class favorite, class president, and Mr. Hattiesburg High in 1970. He graduated from The University of Southern Mississippi with a bachelor of arts in political science. While at Southern Miss, he was a member of the Honors College and Kappa Sigma Fraternity, serving as chapter president.
Mr. Lambert graduated from the University of Mississippi School of Law and set up his law practice in his beloved city of Hattiesburg. He represented his city for three terms as Hattiesburg's District 45 state senator in the Mississippi State Senate. While there, Mr. Lambert served as Chairman of the Senate Finance, Judiciary and Municipalities Committees. He also served on the Senate Public Utilities Committee his entire tenure in the Senate and served as Vice-Chairman for four years. He was also appointed City Attorney for the City of Hattiesburg for seven years.
In addition to Atmos Energy Corporation, Mr. Lambert was general counsel to the Mississippi Rural Independent Telephone Companies and legal counsel to the President of The University of Southern Mississippi. In June 2012, Mr. Lambert was appointed by Governor Phil Bryant to the Judicial Appointment Advisory Committee to represent the Second Supreme Court District.
Mr. Lambert was a faithful member of Broad Street United Methodist Church in Hattiesburg, where he was a Sunday school teacher and lay leader. He was a charter member of Heritage United Methodist Church. He most recently worshiped at Trinity United Methodist Church in Gulfport.
At his death and for many years preceding, Mr. Lambert resided in Gulfport, Mississippi, yet still maintained his law practice in Hattiesburg. The community, his friends, and his family will deeply mourn the passing of this faithful servant.
The family would like to express their gratitude for the dedication and support of Mr. Lambert's medical team, Dr. Paul Mace of Garden Park Hospital, Dr. Allison Wall of Memorial Hospital, and the nurses and medical staff at Memorial Hospital in Gulfport.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Trinity United Methodist Church of Gulfport, 5007 Lawson Avenue, Gulfport, MS 39507.