Victoria Newkirk

Victoria Anna Velez Lambeth Newkirk, 88 years of age, of Albemarle, passed away peacefully Monday, February 5, 2018, surrounded by her family.

Mrs. Newkirk was born April 5, 1929 in Brooklyn, NY, to immigrant parents from Yauco, Puerto Rico.

The family will receive friends from 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM, Friday, February 9, 2018, at Hartsell Funeral Home of Albemarle. The funeral mass will be on Saturday, February 10, 2018 at 11:00 am at Annunciation Catholic Church, 416 N 2nd St, Albemarle, NC 28001 officiated by Father Peter Fitzgibbons. Burial will follow at Stanly Gardens of Memory, 2001 East Main Street, Albemarle, NC.

Victoria met her husband, John Austin Lambeth, while crossing the Brooklyn Bridge when she was fifteen years old.  They married a year later and moved to his hometown of Thomasville, NC.  The Lambeth's settled in Albemarle and raised 7 children.  She was a long-time resident of Albemarle at Eben Street, Ross Drive, and Springhaven Circle.

Victoria was a longtime member of Annunciation Catholic Church in Albemarle.  Her faith in Christ sustained her throughout all of her days and during her illness.  She passed her faith on to her children, who will lean on it to help them through this difficult time.  Victoria loved to laugh, play games, and be with her family.  She was kind to everyone she met and was filled with joy that all could see.  Victoria was also a continuous visitor to the Stanly County Senior Center.

Victoria lost her first husband in 1988 at which time she had to learn to drive a car.  This gave her the ability to meet friends to play cards, go to dances, meet for walks in the park and deliver meals to those in need.  In 2004 she married her second husband, Robert Newkirk, Jr.

Victoria was preceded in death by her parents, a brother, and a sister.  She lost her first child, Pamela Ann Lambeth Cox, in 1999 and recently spoke of seeing her again soon.

Victoria is survived by her husband, Robert Newkirk, Jr.; sister, Alice Velez Garrison Rabbers; children, Mary Alice Lambeth Yopp, Antonia Maria Lambeth Hill, Delia Regina Lambeth Funderburk, John Austin Lambeth, Jr., Tess Victoria Lambeth, and Joseph Anthony Lambeth.  She was also blessed with fourteen grandchildren and many great-grandchildren.

Memorials may be made to Hospice of Union County, 700 Roosevelt Blvd., Monroe, NC 28110.

Hartsell Funeral Home Albemarle is serving the Newkirk family.

Online condolences may be made at www.hartsellfh.com