Charles Elbert Lamb Jr.

Charles E. Lamb Jr., known to many as Charlie or C. Lamb, died peacefully in his sleep on Wednesday afternoon, April 8, 2009, with his daughter at his side. Charles was born in New Orleans on July 5, 1928, to Mary Hawkins Lamb and the Rev. Charles E. Lamb Sr. He grew up in Chattahoochee, Fla., and Baton Rouge, where he spent his boyhood riding bikes, shooting marbles and playing war games with his friends. Charles also loved to play baseball and basketball in his youth. As an adult, for years he fished on Thursday afternoons with his good friend, Joe Moreland, and later he became a pretty good and an avid golfer. Through his love of sports and through his churches, Monte Sano Baptist where his father was pastor, and University Baptist Church, which he helped to charter and attended with his young family, he made many lifelong friends, including Tom Phillips whose frequent visits to the hospital during these past months were comforting. Charles loved to sing. Many friends and family members will remember his singing "On the Wings of the Great White Dove" and other hymns in church and in places where such songs are not typically heard. Among his other favorites were "Danny Boy" and an infinite number of country ballads. He graduated from Istrouma High School in 1946, then attended Louisiana College in Pineville before enlisting in the U.S. Air Force. He was a veteran of the Korean War, having served in Japan. When, after four years, he received an honorable discharge from service, he returned to Baton Rouge and earned a degree from LSU. Charles worked for many years as a representative of the Mutual of New York Life Insurance Co. He was a kind man with a big heart, and he was a gentle, loving father to his only child, Debbie Lamb, who survives him. Charles also is survived by his sister and brother-in-law, Elaine and Wallace McKenzie, and their children, Charles Martin and Lesley; his dear Webb relatives who took such good care of him following his falls; and his favorite cousin, Frances Hawkins Baumgart. Lastly, but certainly not least, Charles is survived by June Mancuso, his loving and devoted friend of over ten years whom he fondly called "Lucy." In keeping with his wishes, Charles' body was cremated. Please visit with his family at Rabenhorst Funeral Home, 825 Government St., on Friday, April 17, from 9 a.m. until a memorial service at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial donations be made to Volunteers In Public Schools, 4070 Tunica St., Baton Rouge, LA 70805; Habitat for Humanity of Greater Baton Rouge, 4962 Florida Blvd., Suite 409, Baton Rouge, LA 70806 or a charity of your choice.