Della Westbrook Carwile

On Sunday, January 10, 2021, Della Frances Westbrook Carwile found her eternal rest at the age of 81, surrounded by her children. Born in Newton Grove, North Carolina to Bill and Louise Westbrook in 1939, Fran grew up on a working farm. Her beginnings were humble, although common for the time, no indoor bathroom, shared bedrooms – but there was never a lack of love or laughter. In 1959, she travelled to Orlando, Florida to visit a friend and decided to make a life there. She found a job at Southern Bell Telephone Company and eventually retired from the communications giant in 1991. One of the reasons she moved to Florida was for the beach. She enjoyed the sun, the sand, the fun. On a warm day in 1960, she and a friend (Louise Beem) from the phone company went to Daytona Beach for the day. While on the beach, they noticed an attractive man driving by in a convertible. Louise dared her to jump in the car with him. Much to everyone’s surprise, she did; and Frances and James were married later that year on December 10th and remained married until his death in 2002. Mom lived life to the fullest and enjoyed many activities. She was fond of classic country music (especially George Jones and Conway Twitty). Cherishing all things Disney, she encouraged her children to work there, or at least marry someone who did. She enjoyed travelling with family and friends, visiting the Grand Ole Opry, Twitty City (yep, that’s a real place), the Amish Country, the Caribbean, the Grand Canyon and Vegas among other places. Mom loved people with everything inside her. She didn’t know how to be selfish, it was against who she was – but she especially loved children. Even before she had children of her own, she was the mom for the neighborhood. It went both ways; children were attracted to her as well. They could sense her pureness of heart and were drawn to her infectious laugh. Friends were so important to her. I don’t think she ever made a friend she didn’t stay in touch with. Having 2-hour-long phone conversations was common all her life. She kept a small chair in the kitchen for the longer calls. (Parents, explain to your children the concept of the wall phone). Family was her most treasured possession. She loved her family completely and unconditionally. She told us the truth when we needed to hear it, celebrated our milestones, offered the best advice, knew when to sit back and watch, laughed with us, cried with us. It’s really quite difficult to put into words how she loved us. It’s not the amount she loved, it was the uncommon and all-encompassing quality of her love. She was mom, sister, friend, grandmother. She was affectionately known to her grandchildren as Oma. Above all else, she loved Jesus. She was a life-long member of Real Life Christian Church (formerly West Oak Ridge Christian Church). She believed in the power of prayer, the ability for lives to be changed when surrendered to Him. Her greatest hope for others was to know Jesus like she knew Him. She prayed for those she loved daily. In her final years she was ready for Heaven and told us often. Her faith was strong even when tested and she knew her eternal home was not here. Mom’s goals in this life were simple. To love God, love people, and take as many people to Heaven with her as possible. She is survived by her children Tammy (Nicholas) Moore, Robert Carwile, Kathy (Michael) Rowley, stepson Timothy Carwile, daughter-in-law Monique Carwile; sister Linda (Ray) Weeks, brother Bob Westbrook; grandchildren Michael Carwile, Kristin Parsons, Brandon Rowley, Grace Rowley, Mandolin Moore, Maddox Moore, Jacinda Carwile, Matthew Carwile; 6 great-grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents Robert (Bill) and Louise Warren Westbrook, husband James Edward Carwile, and sister-in-law Wanda Westbrook. We have so much to be grateful for. She loved with her whole self. She laughed with her whole body. What an amazing gift God gave us; the perfect example of humanity and grace. She taught us the world is not our home and to put our hope in Jesus. Her faith could move mountains. We grieve, but we also celebrate a life well-lived; a body no longer suffering, an amazing lady who left this world and gained her eternal reward with no regrets and nothing unsaid. Until we meet again…

Della Westbrook Carwile

May 26, 1939 - January 10, 2021