Hazel Christene Westbrook
Chris Westbrook, a gifted teacher who nurtured students for more than 40 years and provided constant support as a loving wife, mother, and friend, went to be with the Lord on October 12, 2024, passing away peacefully at home at the age of 93. Born on September 2, 1931 in Kerens, Texas, she was the eldest daughter of Ola Mae and Jester James Weathers. Her parents farmed in the Kerens area where she developed a strong work ethic, love of nature, and desire for lifelong learning. After Kerens High School, she graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor (UMHB) in 1953.
That summer, she married her beloved husband of 69 years, Frank Westbrook from Kerens, when his service in the U.S. Navy for the Korean War ended. Moving to Austin, she worked as a dietician at the original Seton Hospital while her husband completed his undergraduate degree at the University of Texas. They then moved to Fort Worth, and she earned a Master of Education degree from TCU in 1962, with her husband and 3-year-old son cheering at the ceremony.
She and her family moved to Ennis in 1964, and she taught with expertise and creativity at Sam Houston and James Bowie elementary schools. She later worked part-time on reading recovery programs throughout the district before retiring, leaving a legacy of learning and dedication. Because support from mentors in Kerens helped provide her educational opportunities, she and her husband established the Chris Weathers Westbrook Endowed Scholarship at UMHB.
An avid reader, she enjoyed photography, science, antiquing, and gardening. She grew beautiful roses, irises, daylilies, and daffodils and, for a time, cultivated African violets on windowsills in her home, until her husband built a multi-tiered greenhouse rack with fluorescent lights for her green thumb.
She loved to travel and experience the sights, foods, and architecture of different cultures, connecting with people in her visits to most European countries and Russia. She excelled in creating gourmet dishes and holiday decor for family gatherings and was so skilled at sewing, she fashioned fine clothing, costumes, and custom valances with love and panache. One of her most remarkable talents was encouraging and championing others to achieve whatever their dreams might be, and she unreservedly would do everything possible to make those dreams a reality.
Although disease stole her short-term memory late in life, she never lost her faith, determination, curiosity, sense of humor, or loving nature. Her masterful teaching, strong will, and sweet spirit are enduring gifts for all who knew her. She was a member of Tabernacle Baptist Church and the Delta Kappa Gamma International Society for key women educators, and her devotion to God, family, friends, and service will be dearly remembered.
She is reunited with her husband, her son, Walt, and her parents who preceded her in death. She is survived by her daughter, Gay Anne Westbrook, and her sister, Marlene Parrish, nephews and nieces, and their children and grandchildren. Graveside service celebrating her life was10:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 17, 2024, at Prairie Point Cemetery in Kerens.
