Minnie Ola M. Westbrook

Minnie Ola Mobley Grice Westbrook, age 103, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Monday morning April 24, 2017. She was the epitome of a “genteel” southern Christian lady. Minnie Ola touched everyone she met with limitless love. She had the ability to make each person in her life feel cherished and completely accepted. She saw only the good in each of us and, through example, taught us to love and live to the fullest. Our sadness of loving such a caring and generous lady is only matched by the incredible gratitude we feel from being showered with the love and kindness. Minnie Ola was preceded in death by her husband O.Dick Grice and second husband Selvyn Westbrook, her parents Rutherford and Anna Mobley, sisters, Anna Bradley, and Eva Owens and seven brothers: Ilmon, W.H., Lloyd, Leon, Verna, Albert and Merrill. She was the last of the generation. She is survived by her two daughters, Frieda (Bill) Searls of Roswell, GA and Cheryl (Fred) Tyler, of Virginia Beach, VA., two granddaughters, Lisa Hoover and Shannon Owings, one grandson, Jason Turner, five great granddaughters, Lindsey and Mattie Newton, Natalie, Grier and Lily Owings and one great grandson, Elliot Hoover and a countless number of loving nieces and nephews. Minnie Ola was a long member of Bethel Baptist Church in Stone Mountain, GA, Unity Baptist in Stone Mountain, GA and Macedonia Baptist in Decatur, GA. She served as Sunday school teacher and Treasurer for many years. She was always enthusiastically helping with whatever needed to be done. Being a part of the church choir was one of Minne Ola’s great pleasures… She loved Gospel music and being able to share this love. During her last few years she was not able to attend church like she had always done, so faithfully, throughout her life. She lived her faith every day and was always an inspiration to all who knew her. Minnie Ola was a charter member of the Mt. View Chapter of the Eastern Star. She was awarded a lifetime membership after 50 years of service. She was the Chaplin for many years. As a young girl in her twenties Minnie Ola worked as a secretary at the “New” Sears & Roebuck in Atlanta on Ponce de Leon, here she made friendships she cherished until each passed away. After a few years she retired to being a loving wife and mother. Minne Ola’s favorite hobby was designing, sewing and creating different patterns which she would make clothing for her daughters and granddaughters. Always a perfectionist, she would continue to use these skills until her early nineties. She would continue her interest in clothing by going to work for Belk Gallent in Decatur. She loved working in retail. It was here that she would continue her creative thinking by helping her customers with their purchases. She retired at 75. Minnie Ola lived in her home independently until she was 90 years old. Her home was a showplace of beautiful flowers. Gardening has always been a part of her DNA. She never met a plant or flower she could not rescue. She was always the busiest person around with her extensive cooking, gardening and involvement with church activities. When she was 90 years old Minnie Ola moved to the Regency House in Decatur where she lived for 2 years. Then a move was made to Mt Vernon Towers in Sandy Springs to be close to her daughter. She enjoyed years participating in their many activities especially BINGO. The family would like to express their overwhelming gratitude to Cordelia Arrington who provided not just care, but companionship and affection for our mother over the last several years or her life. Many thanks also the Mt Vernon nursing and hospice team for their tender care which doubtless extended her time with us. Funeral services will be held Sunday, April 30, 2017 at 2 PM at the Wages & Sons Funeral Home Stone Mountain Chapel with Rev. Kenneth Hughes & Rev. Ronnie Powell. Burial will follow at Melwood Cemetery in Stone Mountain, GA. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 12 PM until the time of the service.