Max J. "Mickey" Westmoreland's Obituary
WESTMORELAND - Mr. Max J. (Mickey) Westmoreland, a business and community leader in South Cobb County for over fifty years, passed away April 5, 2007.
He is survived by his wife, Rose Marie of 57 years; Van, Susan, Megan and Michelle Westmoreland of Atlanta and Joe, Kelley and Alec Westmoreland of Port St. Lucie, FL.
The youngest of seven brothers and sisters, Mickey, as he was affectionately known to family and friends, was born in Brooksville, Florida on November 3, 1927. Upon the sickness and subsequent death of his father, the family returned to Dalton, Georgia where he attended school and helped support his family until his graduation from Dalton High School in 1945. He enlisted in the Navy in 1946 and served in the north Atlantic and Mediterranean aboard the aircraft carrier USS Randolph for two years. Upon discharge Mickey returned to Dalton to work for Colonial stores and married his lifelong partner, the former Rose Marie Pendley, on December 4, 1949.
After being transferred, Mickey and Rose moved to Austell, Georgia in 1951 and began their family in 1955. In 1956, Mickey began his first independent business, a restaurant in Mableton, Georgia known as Mickey's Fine Food, which soon became an institution in the area. The restaurant was in operation for twelve years, during which time he and other local businessmen began Georgia State Bank in 1964. He served as Chairman of the Board at the bank from 1966 until it's acquisition by First Union Bank in 1986.
In the succeeding years Mickey pursued successful ventures in the farming, restaurant, hospitality, building, banking, and real estate industries in Georgia, Virginia, and Florida. Along with his many and varied business interest, he was involved with many charitable and church endeavors. He was a member of Austell First Baptist Church since Easter 1955, and an associate member and deacon at North Stuart Baptist Church since 1994. Mickey was also very involved with Mercer University where he served as a trustee for ten years and where he and Rose Marie are lifetime members of the President's club. Mickey will be greatly missed by his family, friends, and all of those who were touched by his kindness. Rev. Ken Ellison officiating.
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