Eunice Lambert Roberts

Eunice Lambert Roberts

December 29, 1936- February 25, 2026

SERVICE DETAILS

Saturday, February 28 from 5pm until 7pm Visitation at Goldfinch Funeral Home 606 Beaty St, Conway, SC 29526

Sunday, March 1 Funeral Service St Paul's Anglican Church, 1710 Main Street Conway SC. Conducted by The Rev. Dawn Rider

2.30- 3.30 Visitation in Parish Hall

3.30- 4.15 Service in Church.

Committal Service for family following service at Hillcrest 1000 SC-544, Conway, SC

No Flowers- donations to St Paul's Anglican Church, 1710 Main Street Conway, SC 29526

FAMILY

Growing up on a farm in the Horry section of Horry County, Eunice was the third child in a large active extended household that included brothers, sisters, cousins, aunts, Granny Addie, and Aunt Lillie. Her parents, Albertine and Hagood Lambert raised 7 children: Herman (Joserria), Ravenel (Loraine), Nancy Lambert McCombs (Tom), Hazel Lambert Hammock (Larry) Lynnwood (Patricia), and Iris Lambert Carroll (Willy O). Eunice loved her family but was especially close to Iris, her sister and best friend who looked out for her especially in her later years. Thank you Aunt Iris.

At 17 she fell in love and married EP Roberts and had 4 children, Karen, Kelly, Janet and Henry.

Karen's line: Lawerence Willoughby (Anne) and their son Andrew, Catherine Willougby, and Elizabeth Wisnieski (Nicholas) and their daughter Caroline.

Kelly (Ava)'s line: Richard and his daughters Emma Grace and Anna Marie, James, and Justin.

Janet (Charles)'s line: Grace.

Henry (Tammy)'s line: Kyle and Skyler (Morgan).

PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL LIFE

Although most of her life was spent in a 20 mile radius of where she was born, the impact of her long life of service to others was felt far beyond these meager boundaries.

Eunice graduated from Aynor High School in 1954 and after having 4 children she entered nursing school and was in the first graduating class at Coastal Carolina College. She was always proud to be a nurse, "once a nurse, always a nurse". Even at her passing she was studying for her CEC to renew her nursing license. In her lengthy career at Horry County Health Department as a public heath nurse , she helped people on the margins of society in underserved populations and rural areas. Whether it was setting up a free walk-in clinic in Myrtle Beach (Project Myrtle), learning Spanish so she could communicate with migrant farm workers, holding medical clinics at the J Ruben Long Detention Center, vaccinating school children or checking BP for elderly rural patients who lacked transportation, she was there. Not judging, just serving. She helped start Rural Health Initiatives around the PeeDee; one initiative, Little River RHI, grew to become a full medical center. She was overjoyed when Little River Medical Center built a clinic on the land that was once her family farm and is now serving the people of Horry. The blessing of her service has come full circle.

But her service reached beyond the county or even the state. Eunice was for many years very active with the International Red Cross. As hurricanes beat down on the coast she went to the hardest hit places to run evacuation shelters, provide medical assistance, and run follow-up evaluation for disaster relief. She was there, in the Caribbean, Florida, SC but it was her long term commitment to the rural Louisiana parishes after Hurricane Katrina that was the most poignant. Years later, after the world had moved on to the next "big thing", Eunice continued the fight to help the backwater survivors rebuilt their lives. That's who she was. That's what she did. She didn't give up on people.

In 1968 Eunice waded into the tea-colored currents of the Little Peedee river with her daughter, was baptized and became an active member of Mt Hermon Baptist Church. But it was at St Paul's Anglican Church that she found not only a place to serve but a place to grow in her personal relationship with Christ. She loved Bible studies and small groups with Rev. Tripp and Rev. Jason. She thrived with the support and encouragement of the Church and the Cursillo community that opened a whole new world of prayer, study and evangelism. Like her professional life, her life in service to the Lord and others reached multiple generations. She was dedicated to and loved helping with Childhood Evangelism Goodnews Club after school programs. Although she was the oldest member of the Aynor Pilot Club, she would do senior parties for the "old people" (many of whom were younger than her). She was one of the early Pilot club members who helped establish the Aynor Harvest Hoe Down Festival (now in its 46th year and draws thousands of visitors to the county). She lived the cross shaped life- "love God, love people".

And now a few words from her grand daughters…

GRACE ECHOLS

As a small child, I loved few things more than time with UU, and honestly, that never changed. We pretty much always did the same thing - putter around in the garden, eat good food, watch movies, and make each other laugh. Peak existence.

I always wanted to be like her when I grew up. She was strong in a way I rarely saw in other people, and tough, but that didn't stop her from being incredibly generous and loving. She was a good Christian, and she had an excellent sense of fun. She was always surrounded by family and friends, and always had a stash of snacks and drinks in case someone came by.

I think if you looked into the roots of who I am, you'd find her. Because of her, I got curious about gardening, sewing, magnets, and movies. When I cook southern food for my friends up in the Midwest, I always think of the things she cooked for me, and I try to pass it on with as much flavor and love.

One of my favorite states of existence was having a sleepover with her and mom, and watching a cheesy rom com in our PJs.

Even when I was far away, I still visited her through phone calls.

I'm so glad that she was able to live the life she did, filled with her family and friends and garden and birds and church, lived with independence, and that she passed away peacefully.

She was the best grandmother ever, and I'll always carry her in my heart.

CATHERINE WILLOUGHBY

For the last few days, I have thought about all the joy and love she brought into my life and to so many others. I have talked to so many people this week that have felt the same. The amount of endless love in her was amazing to watch. Just when you'd think she couldn't have any more love in her, she found more to give. She poured the same amount of love and caring I had seen for myself for decades on little Caroline, again as if her heart couldn't give enough.

Since she won't be here to teach Caroline her ways, it's my job to do so. Things like the importance of cozy socks, always have tissue and gloves in your jacket pockets. Jane Austin was a genius. That every day can be an adventure if you let. Family and education are powerful. To always be curious and to always try new things even if they scare you. And a life full of charity and giving is a purposeful one.

Mama Eunice was the closest to a soul mate I will ever have. She was my biggest champion, my late-night phone call. We shared a love of art, music, festivals, travel, good food, theater, and again a good cocktail. I will continue to do all these wonderful things but will have to adjust to the idea that she won't be doing them with me anymore.

She was everything I hope to be as woman, as a Southerner, and as a Christian. In the famous words of Mama Eunice, "We enjoyed it".