Charles B. Westbrook was born April 26, 1917 in Round Pond, Arkansas to Charles and Lula Bradley Westbrook.  He went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, December 24, 2014.

On August 29, 1940, he married the woman of his dreams, Barbara J. Williams in Round Pond.  Together they celebrated 70 plus years of a loving, Christ-centered and blessed union.  To this union eleven children, six boys and five girls, were born.

He was employed at John Deere Harvester Works retiring in 1979 after 33 years, 9 months and 9 days of exemplary service. 

He served as President of the Iowa-Illinois chapter of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC).  During this time he marched alongside national civil rights activists such as  Dr. Joseph Lowery, Bishop Desmond Tutu, the late Rev. Ralph Abernathy, Andrew Young, and the late Mrs. Coretta Scott King. 

Pastor Westbrook served as a Sergeant in the military for 9 months on U.S. soil, one year in England and one year in France during World War II.  It was during this time that he became fluent in French. 

Bishop Westbrook served as the District Superintendent of the Western Outreach District of the Northern Illinois Jurisdiction of the Churches of God in Christ under the leadership of Bishop Cody V. Marshall.

Bishop Charles B. Westbrook was a son who loved his parents and even with eleven children, said that he had always prepared himself to be able to take care of his parents if necessary.  He was a loving husband, father, brother, uncle and grandfather.  He was an entrepreneur, preacher, teacher, church leader, Bible scholar, community leader, civil rights activist and a genuine lover of humanity.  It is because he lived his life serving God and God’s people, his children considered it a privilege and honor to care for him during his illness in a way that he would have cared for his own parents.  

He and his wife birthed many natural and spiritual children.  They worked together tirelessly in ministry and always called themselves a “package deal”.  Now the package is complete and they are both safe in the presence of the Lord. 

Those left to continue his legacy include his 11 children, Rochelle Y. (Sumner) Jenkins, Charles B. Westbrook, Jr., both of East Moline, IL, LaJune Westbrook-Johnson, Moline, IL, Brenda J. (Larry) Lee, East Moline, IL, Kenneth I. (Elaine) Westbrook, Chicago, IL, Dennis E. (Sharon) Westbrook, Indianapolis, IN, Larry (Janice) Westbrook, Moline, IL, C. Delores (Joseph) Tingle, Bettendorf, IA, Gary E. (Carol) Westbrook, Joseph L. Westbrook, both of East Moline, IL, Cynthia A. (Raymond) Bryson, Rock Island, IL, all of whom participated as “The Original Westbrook Singers”, 43 grandchildren, 72 great-grandchildren and 6 great-great grandchildren, a special nephew, Calvin Hayslett, Chicago, IL, a special niece, Gloria D. Estridge, Rock Island, IL and a host of other nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

He was preceded in death by his wife, parents and siblings; Sadie D. Howard, Annabelle Hayslett, John, Angelo, Sylvester, Fannie Lou and Adean Westbrook.

Memorials can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or the American Heart Association.

Memorials maybe left for the family at www.orrsmortuary.com