Hazel Gray Tilton Westbrook

Hazel was born September 30, 1934, in Goldsboro, North Carolina, to the late Levi Tilton and Mary “Tessie” Tilton Larsen. Raised on a farm, the values of hard work, family, faith, and caring for others became a part of who she was.

On November 25, 1951, she married the love of her life, Ray D. Westbrook, Sr. Their marriage spanned nearly 75 years and became one of the great stories of her life. Shortly after they married, Ray left to serve with the United States Army during the Korean War. Hazel remained at home caring for the family, and in the years that followed, she traveled with him wherever his military service took them.

Hazel and Ray were truly partners in everything. You rarely saw one without the other, and it would be difficult to find a more devoted couple. Together, they built a full and meaningful life centered on family, faith, hard work, and service to others.

After settling in the New Bern area, Hazel worked at Sears, Clark’s, and in the office at Foodland. She and Ray also shared an entrepreneurial spirit. Over the years, they operated two Zip Mart locations in New Bern and later owned the Handy Pack on Oaks Road in the Woodrow community. Some may also remember Ray’s King Burgers in New Bern, as well as the Waffle Shoppes they operated in Kinston, Havelock, Jacksonville, and Morehead City. Later, they opened Plaza Cafeteria in Havelock.

Their businesses were about far more than earning a living. Both had tremendously giving hearts, and if they knew someone was hungry or struggling, they simply could not turn them away. More than once, food left their stores and restaurants without money ever changing hands because, to them, feeding someone who needed it mattered more.

After selling Plaza Cafeteria, Hazel and Ray once again worked side by side at CarolinaEast Medical Center, where Hazel worked in the Snack Shop and cafeteria. The people she met there loved her. She greeted everyone with her beautiful smile, positive spirit, quick wit, and a genuine interest in whoever happened to be standing in front of her. She was a natural conversationalist who never met a stranger and had a remarkable way of finding something good in almost every situation.

Serving people was important to Hazel, but serving God was at the center of her life. She and Ray faithfully served the churches they attended throughout the years and shared a Christian karaoke singing ministry for more than 30 years, visiting local nursing homes and bringing music, laughter, fellowship, and encouragement to residents. Hazel would tell anyone who listened that she “couldn’t sing,” yet somehow she could almost always be found with a microphone in her hand, softly singing background vocals beside Ray.

For many years, Hazel attended Grantsboro Church of God in Pamlico County. After she and Ray moved from New Bern to Havelock, she later became a member of Broad Creek Church of God in Newport. She dearly loved church, the people, the fellowship, and especially the music. Her faith was reflected not only in where she worshiped, but in the way she lived, served others, and always seemed to find the good in people and in life.

Above all else, Hazel loved her family. She was a devoted wife, a wonderful mother and grandmother, and the kind of person whose presence simply made life better. She could make you laugh when you needed it most, find the bright side when others could not see one, and make almost anyone feel comfortable and welcome.

And anyone who knew Hazel knew there was one place that held a special place in her heart—Belk. Christmas, birthdays, or simply “just because,” a Belk gift card was always a sure way to make her happy. She loved shopping for a new dress, browsing the makeup counter, and finding something new to bring home. If someone asked what she wanted for a gift, there was rarely much mystery about the answer, a trip to Belk or a Belk gift card was always welcome.

Her loving nature extended to animals as well, and over the years there were plenty of memorable pets. Perhaps none was more unforgettable than her potbellied pig, “Little Girl,” who eventually became anything but little. More recently there was her cat, “Brave Meow,” who earned his name after the family watched him fearlessly fighting off a snake. The names alone were a glimpse of the humor and personality she carried throughout her life.

She was preceded in death by her beloved daughter, Tammy Kay Westbrook; her father, Levi Tilton; her mother, Mary “Tessie” Tilton Larsen; her sisters, Margaret Tilton, Helen Wall and Ruby Mask; and her brother, Robert Tilton.

Left to cherish a lifetime of memories are her devoted husband of nearly 75 years, Ray D. Westbrook, Sr.; her son, Ray D. Westbrook, Jr. and wife Carolyn, of New Bern; daughters, Teresa W. Lee and husband Gene, of Havelock, and Donna W. McGuire and Mike Gardner, of Morehead City; twelve grandchildren, Crystal, Raymond, Jennifer, Timmy, Danny, Jessica, Steven, Christopher, Kasey, Nadine, Ella, and Bjorn; eighteen great-grandchildren; ten great-great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

A funeral service celebrating Hazel’s life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, at Cotten Funeral Home, followed by committal at Greenleaf Memorial Park.

The family will receive friends at Cotten Funeral Home from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m., one hour prior to the service.

Cotten Funeral Home & Crematory is honored to serve the family of Hazel Gray Tilton Westbrook.