Mary Elizabeth Westbrooks

Ms. Mary Elizabeth Westbrooks was born in Knoxville, TN to Frank Smith and Josephine Brown on August 15, 1928.

She was reared in Cross Plains and Gainesville, Ga. Her primary education can be credited to Cross Plains and Northwestern schools. She married the late Oscar Odell Westbrooks and she is the mother of nine children and, at last count 25 grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Saint Paul United Methodist Church was her church home for over fifty years. During her stewardship at Saint Paul she was a faithful and dedicated force. Her leadership roles included, President/Spiritual Presence Choir; Chairperson Council on Ministries; Treasurer Adult Choir; Board of Trustee, Fellowship Hall Building Fund, Committee Chair of Family and Friends, and the unofficial St. Paul Greeter.

Ms. Westbrooks’ smile could light up any room. She loved meeting new people and was eager to help where ever she could. “It is in my bones” she would say! “It is in my blood” she would say! to help others and she was forever true to her word. She was famous for pulling out her pots and pans when she heard a neighbor or friend was sick or had a death in their family. Ms. Westbrooks’ famous vegetable soup had been delivered to many shut-ins; she would stop by their homes and share a “little somethin” with them. She was determined, her living would not be in vain. “She meant that!"

Ms. Westbrooks’ professional and social community endeavors were: member of the Willing Workers Club, Gainesville Pray Band, Chamber of Commerce Chapter of Business Women, President Sunshine Seniors, Mentor, Enota and New Holland Elementary schools, Meals on Wheels, Salvation Army, Council on Aging, Retired Teachers and Educators Association, Director of Grady Young Foundation to name a few as well as numerous certificates, plaques, and citations flank her walls at “1021.” Notably, Ms. Westbrooks has been a foster parent and caretaker to adults whom she has boarded in her home over the years. If someone was naked, she would clothe them, and if someone was hungry she would feed them, if they was homeless, she would house them. Not to mention, when someone needed a laugh, she had jokes!

Ms. Westbrooks’ most memorable and treasured occasions involved everybody singing together. Ms. “West” loved to sing! She did that very, very well and could be witnessed doing so any and every where ‘bout town. She was adored for her singing voice, in fact, she was the standing soloist at St. Paul’s famous Mother’s Day service. She always brought the house down, grown men, women and children alike wept and wailed as she sang.

Ms. Westbrooks, herself, an only child, is survived by daughters Theresa Westbrooks, Deborah Everette, Stephanie Watkins, Vanessa Ellison(Douglas)and Patrice Westbrooks; and by her sons Charles Demory (Juanesshe, Lateef Ha’min (Beverly), and Patrick Westbrooks. She was preceded in death by a son, Michael L. Westbrooks. Grandchildren are Greg Smith, Serita Holland, Keisha Atem, Brian Harrison, Anika Hamin, Quinshay Hancock, Quintay Hancock, Lamar Demory, Quintin Demory, Deborah Demory, Tony Demory, Tonya Demory,Juan Henderson, Miracle Demory, Shannon Westbrooks, Ian Curry, Caresa Ettienne, Cassandra Demory, Charlisa Demory, Cameron Drake, Tyra Westbrooks, Jessica Westbrooks, Steve Ellison, Kyla Watkins, Juan Westbrooks, Jazmine Ellison, Nicholas Westbrooks, Tylor Brown, Patrick Brown, Iman Johnson, Carter Westbrooks and a special “daughter" Tanija Westbrooks who lived with Ms. Westbrooks for many years all the way right up to her untimely death. Last but not least. The many great grands and great-great grands to numerous to list. For the unofficial children, the ones who claim her as “their own”, that list goes on and on… Until her death September 18, 2020, Ms. Mary Elizabeth Westbrooks had “many irons in the fire" and her dedication, service, and unrelentless energy and fire will forever burn in our collective memories.

The visitation for Mrs. Westbrooks will be Thursday, September 24th, 2020 between the hours of 12-8 PM at Wimberly Funeral Home. Professional Service Entrusted to Wimberly Funeral Home.