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Mary Diane Westbrook of Southampton died at home on January 22, 2017. She was 78.
Born October 27, 1938, in Currituck, North Carolina, to Alexander and Alverta Johnson, she was baptized at the Wilson Grove AME Zion church in Gregory, North Carolina, where she started singing as a young child. She attended the Currituck Union School and graduated in May, 1956.
After graduation, she moved to Southampton, where she was employed at Southampton Hospital from 1958 until she retired in 2000. She married Claude Westbrook on October 20, 1962, and the couple had one son, Gerald Westbrook.
In 1965, Ms. Westbrook was baptized by the Reverend Chester Gage at the First Baptist Church of Bridgehampton, where she joined the gospel chorus. Survivors said she was a songbird, and sang to the glory of God wherever she went until her death.
She was a member of the Deaconess Ministry, Women’s Ministry, Culinary Ministry, and a pastoral aide. She was also a member of the Tar Heel Gospel Singers, senior and adult choir of the First Baptist Church of Bridgehampton, the famous Johnson Singers, and the Anointed Ones. She sang throughout the East End of Long Island, doing concerts, tributes, solos, and anything that was asked of her. She loved to sing, a well known talent of the Johnson family.
Ms. Westbrook was predeceased by her husband, Claude Westbrook; four brothers, Robert, Preston, Alexander Jr., and Charles; and three sisters, Minnie, Inez, and Doris. She is survived by a son, Gerald Westbrook of Southampton; and special friends, Ruby Brumsey, Barbara Person and Evelyn Taylor; a special niece, Theressa “Meat” King, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Funeral arrangements were under the direction of the Brockett Funeral Home in Southampton.
on Jan 30, 2017