Josephine Thomas Brinkley, 81, of the 2400 block of Hositer Road, died June 22, 2005 at the home of her daughter, Vonita Haskins, on Lake Speight Drive. She was a native of Henderson, N.C. and daughter of the late Willie and Zannie Mann Thomas. She was preceded in death by her husband, Pearl Brinkley, a daughter, Joyce Brinkley, and a son, Jessie Brinkley.

She was a retired domestic worker. She was a member of the Balm of Gilead Baptist Church, where she was a former usher and member of the Missionary Ministry and Widow’s Club.

She is survived by three daughters, Bettie Holloman (Lilton), Yvonne Franklin and Vonita Haskins (Steve), all of Suffolk; two sons, Kent Brinkley and Anthony Brinkley, both of Suffolk; seven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren; a sister-in-law, Annie Mann of Springfield, Mass.; one aunt, Cleora Mann of Louisburg, N.C.; and nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, June 26, 2005 in Balm of Gilead Missionary Baptist Church by the Rev. Charles Leavell, pastor. Interment will be held in the church cemetery. Crocker Funeral Home is handling arrangements.

The family will receive friends at 1525 Lake Speight Drive. There will be a wake from 7 to 8 p.m. Saturday, June 25, 2005 at Crocker Funeral Home.