Nita Louise Culley Lambert was born to Charles Raymond and Eoline Culley on February 29,
1944 in Omaha, NE. Surrounded by her family, she went to her eternal home to be with her beloved Savior on December 13, 2018.
Nita grew up in Concordia, KS with her two brothers, Chuck and John Culley, where she
received her early education, graduating from high school in 1962. It was during these years that her father unexpectedly died of a massive heart attack. She was actively involved in school activities as a cheerleader and crowned homecoming queen. During her high school years, she developed a special bond with her pastor's wife and committed her life to Jesus Christ and placed her faith in His death alone for the forgiveness of her sins.
She furthered her education at Wesmar College and then graduated from Kansas Wesleyan University where she majored in elementary education. It was here she met her future husband and they had their first date when she asked him to the Sadie Hawkins Dance. They were married on August 15th, 1965. In 1966 Dennis was drafted into the army and his assignment took them to the Chicago area. It was there that she taught 3rd grade in a minority elementary school. This was one of the highlights of her life and she enjoyed sharing stories of the young boys and girls in her classes with her family and friends. It was here where they started their family when Andrew Dee was born. It was then back to Kansas where they lived in Concordia for a year and she taught school for half a year before Timothy Vaughn was born. They moved to Washington, KS where they lived for three years and she was baptized at First Christian Church. In 1972 they moved back to Smith County where she became a farmer's wife when Dennis left teaching and coaching to become a farmer. Following their move to the farm, Charles Wayne, John Erik, and Jodi Ann were born between 1972 and 1977. She spent much of her life as a mother dedicated to her children and her husband while staying at home with her family. She spent many days and weeks as a substitute teacher in the Smith Center school district where she touched the lives of many students and families in the community. She loved supporting her children in all of their activities, not only in high school, but throughout their college and adult lives. That support continued with her 21 grandchildren.
In 2000 she added pastor's wife to her resume when Dennis was called as the interim pastor at Thornburg Church. This role was a perfect fit for her personality and commitment to the Lord. She touched many lives with her group Bible studies, individual discipleship, mentoring, teaching, visitation, and service to those around her. She was truly a Titus 2 woman who longed for women to know and love their Savior as she did and to live out their faith and glorify Him above all else.Many will remember her love for gardening and canning. She was famous for her cherry pie, and cinnamon rolls, home-raised fried chicken, and the grandchildren's favorite: pancakes. She found great peace in watering her flower garden every evening. Her hobbies were used to bless others and she found no greater joy than to share a cup of coffee and visit with the many friends and neighbors who would stop by. Her entire life was characterized by her faith and her submission to the authority of scripture. It was who she was.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Eoline Margaret Inez Walden Culley and Charles Raymond Culley.
Nita precedes her family into the presence of her Savior and leaves behind her husband, Dennis of Smith Center, her son Andy and his wife, Betsy, of Bethany OK; son Tim and his wife, Roxie, of Lindsborg, KS; son Chuck and his wife, Kim, of Hutchinson, KS; son John of Smith Center, KS; and daughter Jodi and her husband, Brian, of Arnold, MD. 21 grandchildren, Hannah, Lydia, Emma, Sylvia, Ashlynn, Katie, Maggie, Tim, Gracie, Eli, Caleb, Aly, Jacob, Anna, Ethan, Sergio, Freddy, Culley, Levi, Isaac, and Ayana. She also leaves behind her brothers Chuck and wife, Barbara, of Salina, KS and John and his wife, Linda, of Concordia, KS.