Janice Westbrook

Our beloved Janice, born Feb. 18, 1934, in Harlan County, Ky., passed from her earthly life to God's kingdom early on Sunday, Nov. 14, 2010. She was a resident of Baton Rouge since 1972 and a member of First Baptist Church throughout those 38 years. Janice did her undergraduate study at Lee College, Cleveland, Tenn., and Union College, Barbourville, Ky. She received a master's degree in social work from LSU in 1967 and was a licensed clinical social worker. She worked for the Veterans Administration in Johnson City, Tenn., the Louisiana Office of Mental Health in Shreveport and Baton Rouge, and in the private practice of social work for a combined total of 31 years. Janice was active in various ministries at First Baptist Church, including WMU, Family Service and Missions Committees and Grief Recovery. She was a member of Nell Meriwether's Sunday School Class for many years and greatly appreciated Nell's superior knowledge of the Bible and the love that she showed all of her class members, especially in times of trouble. Janice was admired for her always impeccable appearance, but even more so for her kind and gentle manner and her sweet smile. She followed her Lord's example in truly caring for others and helping in any way that she could, in both her professional life and her private life. She was a serious student in her scholastic experiences as well as in music and culinary arts. She amassed a giant cookbook collection (a souvenir of every place she went) and enjoyed reading them and experimenting with complicated recipes. She loved making her home attractive and entertaining at small dinner parties and large holiday open houses. Her close friend, Pat Prince, taught and inspired her to play the organ with considerable skill. Diagnosed with dementia in 2004, Janice faced its challenges bravely and without complaint. She remained as active as possible and as tasks required too much, gave them up without bitterness. She relied on God to see her through each day and was able to reside at home until April 2010, when she fell and fractured her back and ribs. Despite weeks of inpatient therapy, she was not able to walk again and her disease process quickly accelerated. Since June, she had been cared for in the Reminiscence section at Sunrise on Siegen, where she was visited daily by her husband and frequently by special friends, Peggy Ashford and Pat Prince. Survivors include her husband of 43 years, John O. Westbrook, of Baton Rouge; Callie Sharp, sister; Lana Gouge, niece; Pamela Wilson, great-niece; Scott Felts, great-great-nephew, and wife Gina, all of Johnson City; Beth LaGrone, sister-in-law, of Shreveport; and Ken Whitlow, nephew-in-Iaw, and wife Phyllis, of Cary, N.C. She was preceded in death by her parents, Nathan and Birdie Turner; Annice Steely, sister; Rikki Crain, great-nephew; and Paul Steely, Lawrence Sharp and Henry LaGrone, brothers-in-law. Also sharing the loss of Janice are many good friends. Special thanks to Rebecca Gafford, RN, and staff at Sunrise on Siegen and Generations Hospice staff for their compassionate care. Visitation at Greenoaks Funeral Home, 9595 Florida Blvd., Tuesday, Nov. 16, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Visiting resumes at the funeral home on Wednesday, Nov. 17, from 11 a.m. until funeral service at noon, officiated by the Rev. T.W. Terral. Memorial donations may be made in Janice's name to First Baptist Church of Baton Rouge, P.O. Box 1309, Baton Rouge, LA 70821; Alzheimer's Services, 3772 North Blvd., Baton Rouge, LA 70806; or Generations Hospice, 32948 La. 16, Denham Springs, 70706.