Story by Rich Flowers rflowers @ athensreview . com

For decades Carl and Marian Westbrook , through their leadership and hard work , propelled Athens along the road to progress .

Although they chose different professions , their focus was on helping people and enriching their community .

Carl was a Henderson County Agricultural Extension Agent and later a member of the Athens City

Council . Marian ’ s field was nursing , but she was a leader in civic organizations that helped shape the city .

Carl was first elected to the City Council in 1983 and he would eventually serve eight terms . Beginning

in 1992 , he was elected Mayor Pro-Tem , the first Black councilman to hold that position .

When Westbrook died in 2001 , then Mayor Jerry King , reflected on his service .