Loving, playful, creative, smart, adventurous
Mark Lambert dreamed of building a home for his family on a big plot of land with horses and dogs. He dreamed of buying a car for his daughter Bayleigh and waving goodbye as she moved away for college. These were the aspirations of a man who was utterly dedicated to his family – a family he deemed his greatest achievement. For Mark, acts of kindness and sacrifice for his wife and daughter punctuated his daily life. He worked long night hours to take his daughter, Bayleigh, to and from school. When it came to his wife, Kim Lambert, Mark was a romantic, leaving her little gifts and cards around the house. Once, he burned a CD with John Legend’s “All of Me” and placed it in her car radio, ensuring she woke to a love ballad from him every morning as she drove to work.
Growing up, Mark was a bright and promising young man, scoring a 32 on the ACT. However, his family could not afford college, so he delved into various professions, working as an electrician, a police officer, and eventually as a supervisor at Bekaert. Despite being unable to further his schooling, Mark applied his wit to every facet of life. He could fix practically anything, whether that be a problem with the house, car, or family. Mark loved math and had a built-in calculator for his watch. Bayleigh remembers her father helping her with her homework and teaching her how to sew.
In Mark’s free time he enjoyed making leather belts, playing the guitar, horseback riding, cheering for Auburn football, and rodeoing. Mark frequently traveled to visit his older brother Donnie Lambert Jr., in the air force. Kary “TwinBoy” Rhinehart was Mark’s best friend, essentially becoming another brother. The two would spend almost every day together on the front porch. Mark’s favorite artist was George Strait, and he could often be found watching the sunset and playing Strait’s songs on the guitar attempting to teach Bayleigh the chords.
Bayleigh recalls her father as always “meant to be a girl dad.” He would let her do his hair and makeup, play with dolls together, make slime, and jump on the trampoline. Their favorite activity was building forts in the living room and watching Forest Gump. They had watched the movie so many times that they could almost quote it word for word. Now Bayleigh wishes that she could call her dad when she is having a bad day, “it is hard knowing he is not there for the big events in my life.”
Substance use disorder changed Mark’s personality. He lost his job and his loving and social nature turned to anger and isolation. Kim and Bayleigh devoted their time to care for Mark, but his erratic behavior made it challenging. Mark passed when Bayleigh was just twelve years old. She regrets not doing more to help him, “In reality he just needed someone to love on him. I avoided his calls and texts at that time. Now, I would do anything for one more text or call.” Bayleigh holds onto fond memories of Mark’s warmth and joy, and in his absence raises awareness about addiction.
Mark’s daughter, Bayleigh Lambert, provided the information for this narrative.
January 13, 1974-January 31, 2017-Age 43
Portrait Artist: Shaun Faust
Narrative Writer: Livia Cohen
