Frances Willene Westbrook

Frances Willene Clark Westbrook went to be with our Lord on Sunday, June 23, 2024 surrounded by her loving family, just two days shy of her 87th birthday. Graveside services will be held on Thursday, June 27, 2024 at 11:30 a.m. at Forest Park West Cemetery, 4000 Meriwether Rd. in Shreveport, Louisiana. A visitation will be held before the graveside from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 2500 Southside Dr. in Shreveport. 

Willene was born in Smithdale, Mississippi to Ernest and Ethel Carraway Clark on June 25, 1937. She was the middle child of seven children. Willene graduated from Mars Hill High School in 1955. 

Willene’s greatest joy was her family. She especially loved cooking Sunday lunch and her grandchildren’s sleepovers. You could always find her early in the mornings with a cup of coffee (and usually a cookie or two) sitting on her back patio. She had the most beautiful gardens and friends would stop by regularly to “walk the yard” and admire her flowers. There was always something blooming in her yard. Willene was a loyal friend, loving mother and a devoted grandmother. She was fiercely independent. Willene loved to laugh and would never miss an opportunity to gather with friends and family.

Her working career began as a buyer for Goldrings. She also worked in the Oil and Gas Industry and served on Desk and Derrick as Secretary, on the board of Goodwill, as well as volunteering for hospice. She ended her career as a realtor and enjoyed her many clients, many of whom became treasured friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents, her brothers J.E. Clark, Chester Clark, and Elton Clark; her sisters, Virginia Clark Shaw and Vallie Clark Prestridge; niece, Debbie Shaw Johnson; and her brothers- in- law, Jack Swarts and M.L. Shaw. 

Willene is survived by her three daughters, Chadra Giddens (J. Harold) of Texarkana, AR, Michele Maranto (Tony) of Edmond, OK, and Tara Westbrook (Kelli) of Dallas, TX. She has four grandchildren, Peyton Giddens of Grand Cane, LA, Laura Richardson (Cole) of Shreveport, LA, Daniel Maranto of Edmond, OK, and Kacy Maranto Work (Heath) of Edmond, OK; and nine great grandchildren, Stroud, Colton, Tara Kathleen, Mattie, Grey, Curt, Henry, John, and Rhett; sister, Katherine Swarts, brother-in-law, Buddy Prestridge; and sister- in- law, Peggy Clark; nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews and great-great-nieces and nephews, as well as cousins.

Honoring Willene as pallbearers will be Peyton Giddens, Daniel Maranto, Cole Richardson, Heath Work, Stroud Giddens, Colton Maranto, and Morris Swarts. 

Willene touched the lives of many and will be missed by all.