Lafayette Earl Westbrook

Mr. Lafayette Earl Westbrook, 62, of Bentonville, formerly of Goldsboro, died Wednesday at Wayne Memorial Hospital after a courageous battle with illness. A native of Johnston County, he was the son of Melvia Lee Westbrook of Bentonville and the late Ivan Earl Westbrook.

He was raised on the land of the Battle of Bentonville, and he developed an avid interest in history. He graduated from Four Oaks High School and received his bachelor’s degree in history from East Carolina University. He earned his master’s degree in adult education from North Carolina State University. He began his teaching career at Meadow High School and later taught history and served as Director of Adult Education at Johnston Community College. In 1977, he became an instructor at Wayne Community College and taught history there until his retirement in 1994. He taught classes in Western Civilization, U.S. history and North Carolina history. His specialty was the Civil War. He was an admired and beloved instructor who inspired many students during his 32-year teaching career.

He enjoyed music, gardening, antiques and genealogical research. He was a member of Ebenezer United Methodist Church and sang in the choir. He was a member of Woodman of the World and served on the Board of Directors of the Bentonville Battleground Historical Association. He was recognized as an authority on the Battle of Bentonville as he conducted extensive research and authored several articles on this topic, including the recently published “The Yankee Soldier” in The Battle Cry.

Funeral services will be Saturday at 11 a.m. at Ebenezer United Methodist Church, 3162 Harper House Road, Bentonville. Burial will follow in Ebenezer Church Cemetery.

In addition to his mother, he is survived by his daughter, Margaret Rose Westbrook, and husband, Philip A. Baddour III, and former wife and friend, Marian J. Westbrook. He is also survived by a sister, Betty W. Rios and husband, Victor Rios; brother, Eldridge Troy Westbrook and wife, Julia Westbrook; brother, Anthony Wayne Westbrook; sister, Geneva W. Cox and husband, Jimmy Cox; and five nieces and nephews.

Flowers are welcome or donations may be made to Ebenezer United Methodist Church, 3162 Harper House Road, Four Oaks, NC 27524 or Bentonville Battleground Historical Association, P. O. Box 432, Newton Grove, NC 28366.

The family will receive friends on Friday from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Seymour Funeral Home and other times at the home of Melvia Westbrook, 1103 Bentonville Road, Bentonville and at the home of Marian Westbrook, 3102 Cashwell Drive #45, Goldsboro.