Mrs. Susan F. Westbrooks, age 68 slipped away like a whisper in the night on January 30, 2021 at 1:30am in her Sparta home while hand held by her husband of 48 years and surrounded by her children.
Susan’s strong & courageous battle lasted up until her last breath as her body gave out way before her will did. Susan endured a seven-month challenging journey at Moffit Cancer Center in Tampa, FL where she so valiantly beat Leukemia in November, however sadly by December the fate of a new challenging disease at warp speed would send her into a devastating course. She was told just four days before she left earth that there was nothing more that could be done to change the outcome and she simply responded, “Now I’m not giving up ya’ll, but I’m just so tired and I just want to go home. I love you all, please take me home.” A wish fulfilled within 24 hours as she was flown back to her “happy place,” her Sparta, Tennessee home to be surrounded by her husband, children, grandchildren and twin sister.
Susan’s life might have come to an end but her story will forever go on with all the unforgettable moments she blessed us with that will be treasured for the rest of our lifetime. Her fun-loving vivacious personality, infectious smile and laughter made us all better people. Susan loved Center Hill Lake from boating to the simplicity of a campfire lakeside where she always took more than enough pictures of the sunset but would attest no justice to how beautiful it really was in the moment. She loved traveling, camping, festivals, classic cars and joy riding on the back of her hubby’s motorcycle. Halloween was her most favorite holiday and anyone that knew her always anticipated the next year's reveal. She would spend months planning décor, party plans and of course her incredible costumes with great anticipation. Her creativity was always impressive and the events unforgettable as she was always the “life of the party,” out dancing anyone in the room.
She is survived by the “love of her life” and husband of 48, Jerry Westbrooks. A couple that shared an incredible adventure in life from start to end of every chapter, they were truly the best of friends enjoying everything together. Spending most of their married life in the sunshine of Florida while raising children and enjoying the motorcycle subculture, they slowed down in 2013 with retirement and finally made their “Lake House” in Tennessee their forever home. They spent their time in absolutely no hurry while enjoying the good life with family & friends. Susan and Jerry were undoubtedly very much in love and they never held back showing one another affection while constantly flirting with one another. Those two were a true example of how beautiful being with your soul mate was.
This beautiful Mom is survived by the characters she created in her own story; her daughter Kelly Poblick-Su 46, son James Westbrooks 42 and daughter Wendy Westbrooks 42. She was a one-of-a-kind fun-loving Mom and best friend that many envied. She always let her kids off easy even when they didn’t deserve it. The ‘Cool Mom’ that rolled up in parent pick up blasting music, threw parties and even accompanied her children on many wild teenage adventures. She was a lover of moments and made sure her children never experienced a dull one. She taught her children love, strength, grace and to always live life to the fullest or it could pass you up.
She was also very proudly a “Mimi”, that’s not your usual run of the mill conventional cookie baking grandparent but a young at heart, fun, hilarious jokester with the very best sense of humor that was pee your pants funny. Every one of her grandchildren has countless stories that always winds up in laughter. She jumped at every opportunity to talk about her grandbabies and show their pictures off, they were all very precious to her. She is survived by her beloved grandbabies; Keelie Poblick 25, Garrett Poblick 21, Cade Ayers 21, Hannah Westbrooks 20, Phoenix Nasse 10, Gunner Su 8 years of age.
The last six years of life Susan had the privilege of having her fraternal twin sister, Kathy Chandler as her neighbor where they spent years hanging out and making memories that so much of their life had missed due to living in separate states for so many years. They adored having one another only steps away and were referred to as the “Bobbsey Twins” as they were inseparable and came as a package deal. Susan is survived by her twin sister Kathy and her brother Sandy Appling.
She is predeceased by her parents Lloyd & Dora Mae Appling.
Beautiful sweet Wife, Mom, Mimi, sister, friend; your book might have come to a close however your story lives on in each and everyone one of us. We love you with all our hearts & miss you immensely.
A celebration of Susan’s life will be held at a later date.
Love-Cantrell Funeral Home, Smithville, in charge of the arrangements.
Smithville Review
(Smithville, Tenn.)
Feb. 10, 2021
