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Hersey “Ed” Edward Brinkley, 79, of Charleston, S.C., entered into eternal rest on March 7, 2020, surrounded by his family. He fought a short battle with pancreatic cancer.

Born on April 10, 1940 in Nansemond County, Hersey was a son of the late Lee Brinkley and Gertrude Wright Brinkley.

He graduated from Whaleyville High School and served five years in the U.S. Army. He retired from Bon Secours Hospital System in Virginia as the credit and collections manager.

Besides his former wife, Michele Charbonneau, of La Rochelle, France, Ed is survived by the following: Son-Jerome Brinkley, his wife Stephanie and four children, Daughter -Sabrina Brinkley Tillson, her husband Gordon and two sons, Son -Anthony Brinkley, his wife Samantha and two sons. He is also survived by four brothers and one sister: Sister – Margaret and Lee (deceased) White and five daughters, Brother – Lee Brinkley Jr, his wife Monique and two children, Brother – James “Jim” W. Brinkley, his wife Dana and three children, Brother Bobby Brinkley, his wife Judy and two sons, Brother – Richard Brinkley, his wife Carolyn and four sons, Brother – William “Billy” Brinkley (deceased), survived by two children.

Ed was a member of the Tidewater Striders and the Charleston Running Club. He held several local, regional and national records in a variety of races ranging from 5K, 10K, half marathons, and marathons such as the U.S. Marine Corps Marathon and the Boston Marathon. He held the record for the fastest man over the age of 60 for the Cooper River Bridge Run in Charleston, S.C. He was a loving grandfather who supported his grandchildren in a variety of sports and always told them to bring the pain to the competition.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, March 13, 2020, at McAlister-Smith Funeral & Cremation, 2501 Bees Ferry Road, Charleston, SC 29414.

A celebration of life will be held at noon Saturday, March 14, 2020, at McAlister-Smith Funeral & Cremation, 2501 Bees Ferry Road, Charleston, SC 29414. Burial will follow at Live Oak Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, tax-deductible memorial contributions in Ed’s memory may be sent to the American Cancer Society to fund lifesaving research, treatment and care.

Expressions of sympathy may be viewed or submitted online at www.mcalister-smith.com.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to McAlister-Smith Funeral & Cremation, West Ashley, 2501 Bees Ferry Road, Charleston, SC 29414, (843) 722-8371.