Lester Lewis Lamb

Lester Lewis Lamb passed away on Monday, July 22 at Westminster Canterbury in Lynchburg, Virginia. 

Known to all who loved him as Skip, he was born August 11, 1932 in Winchester, Virginia to Nina Higgs Lamb and Lester L. Lamb, Sr. 

After missing two years of school due to tuberculosis, Skip graduated from John Handley High School in Winchester, VA in 1952. The first in his family to attend college, Skip graduated from the University of Richmond in 1955. He received his Master’s degree in Health Administration from the newly formed program at Virginia Commonwealth University. 

Skip had an outstanding career leading a number of hospitals in several states. His ultimate career highlight was leading the integration of Radford Community Hospital into the Carilion family and overseeing the building of New River Valley Community Hospital. 

His career accomplishments are too many to list but included leadership positions within the Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association and the American Hospital Association. He was a devout member of Grace Episcopal Church in Radford, Va, holding leadership roles there and in the Southwest Virginia Diocese. After moving to Lynchburg, Skip became a member of Grace Memorial Episcopal Church. 

Skip grew up listening to the St. Louis Cardinals and the Lone Ranger on the radio. He loved college and professional football, making sure to instill that love and knowledge in his girls. Everyone interested him and he usually knew a waiter’s life story before the check came. He loved peach ice cream and fried oysters and the Outer Banks. 

Skip was predeceased by his parents; his sister, Betty Jeanne Clowser; and his first wife, Mary Lou Watson Lamb. 

Survivors include his wife, Joy Lamb; his daughters, Lessy Nixon, Amy Lamb and Beth Berger; two sons-in-law, Randy Nixon and Chris Berger; 8 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren; his dog, Pax; two nieces and a nephew and their families. 

A memorial Service will be held at Grace Memorial Episcopal Church on Sat. July 27, 2024 at 11 A.M. with Rev. Alan Cowart officiating. 

The family extends heartfelt thanks and gratitude for the loving care of all staff at Westminster-Canterbury, Lynchburg. 

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests all memorials be made to Grace Memorial Episcopal Church, Lynchburg. 

Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Lynchburg, is assisting the family.