Dorothy Rachel Byrd Brinkley, 84, of Suffolk, passed away on Jan. 25, 2010. A native of Nansemond County, Va., she was the daughter of the late J. Pressley Byrd Sr. and Dorothy Lamb Byrd. She was also predeceased by her husband of 56 years, R. Ryland Brinkley Sr. and her sister, Janie B. Aston. Rachel was a homemaker and long time member of Eureka Baptist Church where she served as financial secretary for many years. She was also Past President and member of the Women’s Missionary Union; Lottie Moon Circle; former teacher for the Sunday School, Youth Organization and Vacation Bible School; and a member of the Ida K. Brinkley Sunday School Class. Rachel was a member of the Young at Heart Seniors Club and Bethlehem Fellowship Club. She enjoyed gardening and traveling, and gave many hours of volunteer service to the community.
She is survived by her sons and daughters-in-law: Robert R. Brinkley Jr. and Jean, of Suffolk; Carlton P. “C.P.” Brinkley and Mary Jo, of Buena Vista; Fred Brinkley and Janet, and Roger Brinkley and Jo Anne, all of Suffolk; six grandchildren: Karen B. McCullough and husband Chris; Jill B. Mizelle and husband, Jonathan; Stacy Brinkley; Mary Beth Johnson and husband, Ryan; Katherine Brinkley, Nathan Brinkley and fiancé Ashley Flythe; and three great-grandchildren: Carlie McCullough, Brinkley Johnson and Emily Mizelle; brothers, J. “Jack” Pressley Byrd Jr. and Beverly F. Byrd.
A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2010 at 11 a.m. at Eureka Baptist Church with the Rev. Mickey Willard and the Rev. Cameron Currin officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Friends may join the family on Tuesday evening from 7 to 8 p.m. at Parr Funeral Home and Crematory, 3515 Robs Drive, Suffolk and other times at the home of Roger and Jo Anne Brinkley. Memorial donations may be made to Eureka Baptist Church Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 68, Corapeake, NC 27926. Condolences may be registered online at www.parrfuneralhome.com.