Mary Lambert Luff, 97, of the Cherokee community entered Heaven on March 27, 2013. She was a life-long resident of the Cherokee area in Swain County. Mary was the daughter of the late Hugh Noland Lambert and former Rosa Lee Smith Lambert and was preceded in death by her husband Mr. Eugene H. Luff of Orange County California.
Mary was schooled in Chilocco, trained as a nurse in Knoxville, Tenn. and served two years in France as a 1st Lieutenant in the US Army Nursing Corps. Upon returning from the war, she was a nurse in the Veterans Hospital at Long Beach, California. In the early 50s, she was a merchant with her own business in Cherokee and later built the Wikki-up Motel in Soco Valley where she worked until she elected to retire to a private life in 1983. She was also a life-long member of the American Legion, Steve Young deer Post #143 in Cherokee. She was a member of the Wilmont Baptist Church and dedicated her life to the Lord.
Mary was a last surviving member of her immediate family and along with her parents and husband was preceded in death by her eight brothers, Herbert, Jarrett, Paul, Arthur, Albert, Hugh, Jr., Jesse and Frederic and one sister, Virginia Lambert Sweet.
Mary’s home was always open to her siblings and their families acting as a touchpoint from them as they maintained contact with Cherokee and their Cherokee people. Mary was a caregiver and a woman who “told it like is”. May she rejoice as she is reunited with her family.
Following Mary’s request and promises made, she had a graveside service within 24 hours of her death. The services were held at Campground Cemetery off of US 441 S. between Whittier and Cherokee on Thursday, March 28. The Rev. Johnny Ray Davis officiated.
Long House Funeral Home followed Mary’s wishes.