Brenda Faye Brinkley

Gray - Brenda Faye Barnes Brinkley, age 82, of Gray, Tennessee passed away at home on Monday, April 28, 2025 after a long battle with declining health issues.

She was born in Grays Station, Tennessee on July 8, 1942 to the late William (Bill) and Ella Mae Jones Barnes.

Brenda lived the majority of her life in Gray and Sulphur Springs. She graduated from Boones Creek High School and was married for 58 years to her one and only love, John Brinkley. Brenda was a devout Christian who prayed and read her Bible daily, for as long as she was able to see it. She attended Gray United Methodist Church from birth and was a faithful member until her health prevented her from attending. Even then she enjoyed listening to Dr. Charles Stanley.

For a time, Brenda worked for First Tennessee Bank and then North Electric Company, both located in Gray. She enjoyed raising and loving her children, for whom she made a lot of their clothes herself, caring for and loving her grandchildren, cooking large meals, hosting family gatherings, and took pride in maintaining a clean and orderly home. After her husband retired they both enjoyed traveling and camping in their RV. Once they became physically unable to travel via RV, they bought a place near the Florida coast where they spent several winters together.

Along with her parents she was preceded in death by her husband, John; an infant twin sister, Linda Mae Barnes; two brothers: Robert Barnes and George Barnes; and one granddaughter, Kerensa Brinkley.

Brenda is survived by a daughter, Linda Hurley (Rodney); two sons: James Brinkley (Christine) and Johnny Brinkley (Cindy); 7 grandchildren: Dakota Hurley (Abbie), Kelsey Hurley (Mason Nash, Fiancé), Dallas Brinkley, Jessica Brinkley, Justin Brinkley (Julia), Kristy Hall, and Rachel France (Richard); and 10 great-grandchildren: Lincoln, Lucas, Thaleigh, Ella Kate, Madison, Makayla, McKinley, Macey, Erin and Issac; several other relatives and friends; and special friends Ann Bellamy, Linda Cross, and Carolyn Hamilton.

The family will receive friends from 1-2pm Saturday May 3rd, 2025 at Hamlett-Dobson Funeral Home and Memorial Park, 2630 Highway 75 Blountville. A service will follow at 2pm with Pastor Zach Smith officiating. Burial will follow in the Garden of Devotion.

Pallbearers will be John, James, Dallas and Justin Brinkley, Rodney Hurley and Eric Barnes.

The family would like to offer a special thank you to the nurses and staff at NHC Healthcare for the care they provided during her long stays there and to the nurses and staff with Amedisys Hospice Care for the support and comfort they provided.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Research or Gray United Methodist Church.