Lillian R. Hughes Westbrook

Lillian R. Hughes Westbrook, 86, of Floyd, passed away peacefully on October 20, 2025, at the Rome Health Skilled Nursing Facility, surrounded by her loving family.  She was born on September 25, 1939, in Rensselaer, N.Y. a daughter of the late Claude and Maudell Ferguson Hughes, the third child of eleven siblings.  Lillian received her postsecondary education from the Samaritan Hospital School of Nursing in Troy, N.Y., where she was the first African American valedictorian. She continued her education at SUNY Oneonta earning a Master’s degree in Education.

On May 19, 1962, she was united in marriage to David Westbrook in Albany, N.Y. This blessed union lasted 60 years until David’s passing on January 3, 2022. Lillian was employed by the Crane Hill School for Children at Marcy Psychiatric Center in Marcy, N.Y. as Director of Children’s Services, a position she held for 35 years prior to her retirement. She was a dedicated member of the First Tabernacle Pentecostal Christian Center of Rome for over 50 years, as well as the Rome NAACP. She was a licensed missionary in the Church of God in Christ and faithfully studied and taught the Word of God throughout her life. Her joy in serving was evident in her love for her fellow church members, and her legendary faith and belief in the power of prayer. In her spare time, she enjoyed reading romantic novels, word games, capturing memories in photos, knitting and crochet, and spending time with family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and a daughter, Darlene Denise Westbrook, and four brothers:  Claude Alton Hughes, Clarence Hughes, Marvin Hughes and Donald Hughes. She is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Keith and Davita Westbrook Clark of Converse, TX and two sons and daughters-in-law, David and Nicole Westbrook of Willow Spring , NC, Derek and Catara Vinson Westbrook of Brooklyn, N.Y,  as well as six sisters, Joyce Hughes-Carr, Susan Baird, Connie Hughes, Anita Ferguson, Patricia Jimpson and Jill Hughes; and three granddaughters who were her heart and soul, Lyric Westbrook, Zion Westbrook and Zen Westbrook; as well as bonus children, Roy Harvin, Juanita Mitchell and Jamie Young; godchildren Jacob Iwunze, Adam Marcellus, Jovette Young, sibling in-laws  Deloris Westbrook, Eugene Westbrook, Regina Westbrook, Vincente and Angela Westbrook, and Jennie Young,   and dear family friends Dorothy and Herman Canteen and the entire Coleman family, Rev Ronald and Tara Day, Eva Dixon, Rev Ramesh and Carmine Jadoo, Rev Edward Pete and Judy Lewis, along with a host of much-beloved cousins, nieces and nephews.

The family would like to extend special thanks to Dr Todd M. Podkowka, and the nursing staff at Rome Health on both the 2nd and 3rd floors. We are grateful for the exceptional care provided by many during her stay.

Lillian will be laid to rest next to her husband David at the Gerald B.H. Solomon National Cemetery, Saratoga N.Y.  Funeral services are private and there are no calling hours.

Arrangements by Strong-Burns & Sprock Funeral Home 7751 Merrick Road, Rome, N.Y.