January 5, 2024, 72, Mount Olive —
Alice Joan Spell Westbrook, lifelong resident of the Scott’s Store community near Mount Olive, passed away suddenly Friday afternoon, January 5, 2024.
Alice, a lifelong member of Snow Hill Free Will Baptist Church, had been a diligent church worker throughout her adult years, serving as a Sunday school teacher, and having the distinction of being the first elected female deacon. Just as her interests were varied, so were her career choices. She began public work with Southern Bell Telephone Co, then became secretary for the D. L. Scott Nationwide Insurance Agency, and later became cashier at B.F. Grady School cafeteria. Later she worked at Guilford East, then to be employed with Duplin County Department of Social Services. After retirement, she served as a substitute teacher, again at B. F. Grady, and was actively employed with Ashley Nicole Designs in Mount Olive at the time of her passing.
Alice was always a well-dressed lady and had a deep likeness to the color red. She enjoyed gardening, preparing hearty meals for her family, and always a table spread full on Sunday dinners. Of all the holidays and special occasions, Christmas topped them all. She loved the sights, sounds, and smells of Christmas and took in all the Christmas movies and programs on television. She was a doting grandma to her four beloved grandchildren and was the rock of the family.
She leaves behind her beloved husband, Keith Westbrook, with whom 54 years of marriage had just been celebrated; her two daughters, Rachelle W. Johnson of Mount Olive, and Jennifer W. Holmes and husband, Chris, of Kenansville; grandchildren, Chelsie J. Grady and husband, John Paul, of Mount Olive, Brooke Johnson of Mount Olive with fiance, Josh Ezzell of Maple Hill, Wesley Holmes of Kenansville with girlfriend, Lydia Futch of Selma, and Mackenzie Holmes of Kenansville; two great-grandddaughters, Carrie Nell and Izzy Grady, both of Mount Olive; and a nephew, Braxton Lewis Padgett, and wife, Brenda, of Mount Olive, and their family.
She joins in death, her parents, Tom Spell and Nellie “Boot” Padgett Spell; and her big brother, Bruce Padgett.
Funeral services will be Wednesday, January 10, at 11 a.m. at Snow Hill Free Will Baptist Church. Officiating will be Pastor Mark S. Hobbs. Burial will follow in the Padgett Family Cemetery located behind the residence. Memorial gifts may be made to Snow Hill Church, c/o Jeanean Kennedy, 1571 Red Hill Road, Mount Olive, NC 28365.
NOTE: DUE TO THE PREDICTION OF HORRIFIC WEATHER CONDITIONS, VISITATION FOR ALICE JOAN WESTBROOK HAS BEEN CHANGED TO TAKE PLACE WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 10 AT SNOW HILL CHURCH BEGINNING AT 9:30 A.M., FOLLOWED BY THE SERVICE AS ALREADY SCHEDULED. THANK YOU FOR YOUR UNDERSTANDING.
