Vicki Ruth Westbrook Martin, age 70, died peacefully at home in Athens on August 26, 2014 surrounded by family. Vicki impacted many lives and gave unstintingly to her school, students, family and friends. She was a woman of fierce determination and true grit. She was greatly loved and will be forever missed.
The oldest of six children of Mary Juanita Smith and Morris Franklin Westbrook, Vicki was born in Athens on D-Day, June 6, 1944. Her childhood was not an easy one. Vicki and her brother Morris Franklin Westbrook, Jr. were the warriors that kept the other children safe. They formed a lifetime bond that weathered many storms.
Vicki graduated from Athens High School in 1962 and put herself through Henderson County Junior College (Trinity Valley Community College), where she was head cheerleader and president of Kappa Alpha Pi. She graduated from East Texas State University (Texas A&M University—Commerce) in 1966 with a teaching degree, but her loyalties remained with HCJC.
Vicki took a job in Texas City before moving to Wichita Falls, where she met her husband, Michel Leon (Mike) Martin, while he was stationed at Sheppard Air Force Base. They married in 1967 and welcomed their only child, Maurice Jay Martin, in 1970. Vicki was immensely proud both of Jay’s accomplishments and the man he grew to be. When Jay brought his future wife, Meg, home for the first time, Vicki instantly knew that she was the one and was over the moon when her grandson Charlie was born.
Vicki and Mike moved to rural upstate New York in 1972, where they bought a dairy farm. She was close to Mike’s parents, Maurice and Germaine Martin, and spent many days taking them on outings and caring for them in their later years. Vicki taught school at Brushton-Moira Central School District before opening a bookstore with her sister Patsy Westbrook, who had moved to New York. Vicki and Patsy were best friends and raised their children together. Patsy’s daughter, Micah McGraw Barton, thought of Vicki as a second mother. Vicki adored Micah’s husband, Jason, and considered their daughter, Mary Claire, her granddaughter. Vicki treasured spending time with her nephews, Ray Leduc, his wife, Dina, and their children; Marc Leduc, his wife, Megan, and their children; and was so excited at the prospect of Eric Leduc’s impending marriage.
Upon returning to Athens in 2000, Vicki taught reading and math intervention at Bel Air and South Athens elementary schools before retiring this June. Vicki was passionate about her vocation and made a difference in many children’s lives. During Vicki’s illness, her wonderful friends from school, led by Sarah Williams, Sandy Carter and Jane Johnson, kept the family supplied with food and loving support. The family will always be grateful for the kindness of everyone from the AISD family.
In Athens, Vicki reconnected with high school friends, especially Susan Boswell Kelley, Sherry Greene Werneking, Sally Kittle Miller and Joyce Shelton Smith, whose friendship she treasured.
She also enjoyed being a more active part of her brothers’ lives. She was proud of the life Morris and his wife Mary had made and was close to their children, Bree Westbrook Alexander and Bret Westbrook. She adored Bree and her husband Tanner’s two sons, Easton and Hunter, and looked forward to the birth of Bret and his wife Lindsay’s first child in October.
Growing up, Vicki had a soft spot for her brother Joe Ben Westbrook. She was thrilled when Joe Ben and Brenda’s son, Ben Eric, graduated from law school; loved Ben Eric and Alisha’s two sons, Jaxson, Houston and Archer.
Vicki was close to her aunt, Doris Cure, and had a special place in her heart for Justin and Sydney Cure and their daughter, Cora. She loved her cousins and was especially close to Wanda Alderman, Sunni Starkes, Trava Richman and Susan Walker.
Vicki is also survived by her sister Joan Bailey and her children, Emily and Chris; her brother, Tommy Westbrook, and his children, Jenny, David, Tina and Billy; by Lisa Hampton Beasley and her children, Kathy and Michelle and numerous cousins, aunts and uncles.
A memorial service is scheduled for Saturday, September 6 at 11 a.m. in the Women’s Building at the East Texas Arboretum, 1601 Patterson Road, Athens.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a donation to the Athens Public Education Foundation at www.athenspef.org.
You may leave a message of condolence or light a memorial candle for the family at www.carroll-lehr.com .