Charismatic, loving, caring, dedicated, determined.
Weston was kind and funny with an engaging smile. He would put himself on the line for others, even at his own cost. He loved hunting, music, being with family and his fiancé, and Alabama football!
Even from a young age, he loved to test his mom’s trust and resolve. When he was eight, he convinced her to ride in his go cart with him, despite her prostrations that he would go too fast. Weston assured her he wouldn’t; he even promised. He was going a safe speed when abruptly, he looks over, smiles, and guns it. “I knew it,” his mother, Kimberly, said, laughing. ‘Weston always thought it was funny to mess with me!’
Weston, always a hard worker, was establishing himself. He was planning to start a lawn care business. He was passionate and intentional about spending time with his family and his fiancé, Lilah. They planned to marry and have children. Weston’s family was happy because he had a future and someone who loved and believed in him. Weston was also close to his five-year-old brother, Hagan. “He had such an impact on him that Hagan talks about him every day, and sleeps with his pillow every night.” Kimberly stated.
Through his teenage years, Weston struggled off and on. His mom noticed a change in his personality and felt sad about how he was hurting himself. Sometimes he would display animosity toward those he loved. She misses his visits, his smile, and having dinner and holidays together. Really… she misses everything about him.
In recent years, Kimberly, and Weston started a tradition of going on a birthday trip. For his nineteenth birthday, his last, they went to Atlanta for a Braves game, and stayed at the Westin. She was looking forward to his next birthday and plotting a new destination.
Today, Kimberly wakes up each day with a purpose. She strives to bring awareness about addiction to anyone that comes in contact with her. Since Weston’s death, she has become a drug mentor in Huntsville, Alabama drug court. She has also opened a hair salon in honor of her son. As a way to serve her community, she provides haircuts to people in recovery who are interviewing for jobs. “I know if someone feels good about their appearance, they feel more confident for the interview,” Kimberly said.
Her last memory of Weston was meeting him at a store in a familiar part of the town where he was raised. He was smiling and told her twice that he loved her. She watched as he walked through the parking lot and disappeared into the store. It was the last time she saw him.
Weston’s mother, Kimberly Wilbourn, provided the information for this narrative.
May 15, 2003–November 22, 2022-Age 19
Portrait Artist: Shawn Faust
Narrative Writer: Barbara Francois
