Beatrice Gentry Brinkley, 92, of Tifton passed away peacefully on Friday, January 1, 2021, surrounded by her family. A graveside funeral service will be held for Mrs. Brinkley at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, January 5, 2021, at Big Creek Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery in Irwin County, where she will be laid to rest. The Rev. Glenn Ford will officiate. The family will receive friends on Tuesday, January 5, 2021, in the Chapel of Bowen-Donaldson Home for Funerals from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m., with COVID-19 protocol being observed.
Chris Grimes, Wayne Smith, Ben Brinkley, Harvey Johnson, Shane Howell and Ricky Berger will serve as pallbearers.
Mrs. Brinkley was born January 2, 1928 in Fitzgerald to the late Smith D. Gentry and Geneva Fowler Gentry. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Allen Brinkley; two sisters, Ruth Gentry Yarbrough and Mildred Gentry Hipps; and two brothers, Hiram Gentry and Smith David “Junior” Gentry. She was a homemaker, a switchboard operator and a medical office receptionist. She lived in Tifton for over fifty years and was a member of Tift Avenue Missionary Baptist Church, where she taught Sunday school and was active in the nursing home visitation program.
Mrs. Brinkley is survived by her sons, Nicky Brinkley and wife Kimberly, Jody Brinkley; grandchildren, Chris and Heather (Brinkley) Grimes, Wayne and Kelli (Brinkley) Smith, Ben and Michelle Brinkley and Alyssa Brinkley; and a special niece, Linda Mackin.
The family suggests those desiring to send memorial may send them to Hospice of Tift Area, 618 Central Avenue North, Tifton, GA 31794; Stand Out Ministries at https://standoutministries.com; or the charity of your choice.