Beverly Joyce Lampley

Beverly Gilbert Lampley August 31, 1947-June 8, 2024.

Beverly Lampley, known to most simply as “Bev”, died peacefully in her sleep after expending in service the last bit of life’s energy that she possessed. Bev was born August 31, 1947, in Pulaski, Tennessee, to William Edward Gilbert and Wanda Beasley Gilbert. Beverly is a beloved daughter, spouse and partner, mother, sister, sister-in-law, aunt, and a dear friend to many. Her absence is greatly felt and deeply grieved.; 

Beverly grew up in various regions in the south, traveling to new homes and schools as her father was transferred from one ministry position to another. Upon graduating from Peabody/Vanderbilt University and the University of Tennessee where she earned a degree as a certified social worker, she began a decades-long ministry in developing friendships through active listening and caring that included persons of any and every social persuasion. Anyone knowing Bev would describe her as bright, intelligent, kind, generous, loyal, dependable, non-judgmental, and open to all, among a plethora of other attributes and gifts.

Soon after completing university, Beverly wed Jim Lampley and together they grew personally and professionally, each respecting the unique gifts of the other. Their only daughter, J Leigh, was born during those early days, and found both love and direction from each parent. Jim’s work with the Department of Energy in Oak Ridge, TN and Los Alamos, NM as well as other stops in between gave Beverly many opportunities to offer services to the Navahos in New Mexico and Arizona. After Jim’s early death in April 1997, Beverly discovered solace and support with Bob Ivey, for the next fourteen years. Neither union took from Beverly her uniqueness in spirit, style, or expression. Beverly was able to take yearly trips overseas in order to visit her daughter who lives in England.

Although she survived open-heart surgery in her final year, Beverly’s compassion, tenacity, and openness to all never failed her when approached by another, no matter how full her schedule. Hers was a “listening ear” and she listened with the “ear of her heart,” thus conveying to the speakers that they were “ok.” Hers was the ability to give light to a problem yet allowed the speakers to maintain their authenticity in arriving at their chosen mode of action. Her complete openness of self to others is fully conveyed in her last hours of life as she reached out to check on the health status of another.

Beverly was preceded in death by her parents William Elvin and Wanda Gilbert, her brother Jerry Gilbert, and partners Jim Lampley and Bob Ivey. She is survived by her daughter, Leigh (Gillian Plant), sister-in-law Kathy Gilbert, nephews Nick and Beau Gilbert, and great nieces, Rio, Rue, Ren, Lorraine, and Sylvia Gilbert. She also considers Cheryl Lenochan her sister. 

Beverly Lampley is also survived by hundreds of friends that she continually made and nurtured along life’s pathways. She is known for the “little white flying saucer” that was often glimpsed as she went over a crest: neither she nor her Miata ever slowed down. 

Memorial services will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Church on Monday, June 17th at 1:00 pm with her celebration of life to be continued immediately following at the Catholic Outreach Soup Kitchen, 1st and Ute, Grand Junction, CO. Memorial donations can be made to Catholic Outreach, 245 S. 1st, GJ, CO 81501 or online following directions found at www.catholicoutreach.org May we each be blessed as Beverly blessed so many others as she traveled her journey’s pathway to her God.