Birth Date: 12/28/1953
Deceased Date: 09/28/2024
Four Oaks, NC: Anthony Wayne Westbrook, age 70, of Westbrook Road was born on December 28, 1953, passed away after a courageous battle with cancer on September 28, 2024, surrounded by loving family at the SECU Hospice House in Smithfield. Funeral Services will be 2:00PM – Tuesday, October 1, 2024 at Ebenezer United Methodist Church, Four Oaks. Officiating will be Revs. Fred Dyer and Bill Spencer. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends from 1:00PM to 1:45PM on Tuesday, October 1, 2024 at the church prior to the service.
Anthony was predeceased by his parents, Melvia Lee and Ivan Earl Westbrook and brother, Lafayette Earl Westbrook. He is also predeceased by his partner, Jackie Marie Summerlin. Anthony attended Four Oaks School and graduated from South Johnston High School before attending Wayne Community College and earning an associate degree in agriculture. He and his brother founded and managed a successful farming operation, Westbrook Brothers, in Johnston County for over 50 years. Westbrook Brothers Farm produces row crops and operates a large poultry and hog farm. Anthony’s specialty was the poultry operation, and he also later led the expansion into growing and baling hay for sale. For many years, he was recognized as Grower of the Year for Goldsboro Milling Company. In 2010, Anthony and the Farm received the Johnston County Farm-Week Committee award for significant contributions to the citizens of Johnston County. And in 2011, Anthony was presented with the North Carolina Poultry Federation’s Environmental Award for excellence in farm and environmental stewardship by North Carolina Agricultural Commissioner Steve Troxler.
Anthony was a member of Ebenezer United Methodist Church and served his community as a long- time member of the Bentonville Volunteer Fire Department, receiving its Distinguished Service Award in 2010. He enjoyed Western movies and tv shows with his favorites being Gunsmoke and anything with Clint Eastwood. He loved country and bluegrass music and driving to see the countryside, always wanting to take a different way home, to see more along the way. He treasured his time visiting with family and friends at Flowers store while enjoying a cold Mountain Dew. He was a devoted son, caring for his mother during her last years, a devoted brother and uncle to his many nieces and nephews, and was always available to help family members in need.
Anthony was reunited with the love of his life, Jackie Marie Summerlin, in 2011, and the two enjoyed a wonderful partnership until her death in April 2023. They shared a love of animals, hosting holiday gatherings for family, and fun and laughter for many years. Although he will be missed by family and friends, we know that he is reunited with Jackie, his parents, and his brother once more.
He is survived by his sister, Betty Westbrook Rios and husband, Vic; brother, Eldridge Troy Westbrook and wife, Julia; sister Geneva Westbrook Cox and husband, Jimmy; six nieces and nephews: Margaret Rose Westbrook, Amy Leigh Batey, Eric Todd Westbrook, Paula Westbrook Hunter, Jonathan Reece Cox and Susan Geneva Westbrook, and several great-nieces and nephews.
Anthony and The Westbrook Family would like to give a special thank you to Jennifer Grantham, Karen and Danny Barbour, Johnny Savage, and Frankie Harrell for their help transporting Anthony to Duke for his treatments and doctor’s appointments. They would also like to thank William Dixon, Anita Hudson, and Pat Benson for their in-home care of Anthony. Also, a special thank you to the Staff of the SECU Hospice House in Smithfield for their compassionate care.
In lieu of flowers; memorials may be made to Ebenezer United Methodist Church, c/o Dean Grantham, 1287 Harper House Road, Four Oaks, NC 27524 or to the Bentonville Volunteer Fire Department, c/o James Beasley, 3167 Harper House Road Four Oaks, NC 27524.
Arrangements by Rose & Graham Funeral Home, Four Oaks.
