Betty Jean Gay Brinkley, 65, of Suffolk departed this life on March 6, 2009. A native of Portsmouth, VA, she was predeceased by her parents George Robert Gay and Margaret Cook Gay Ventures and a brother Stephen Gay. She retired from customer support at Ciba Corporation. Betty Jean was a member of First Baptist Church.

She is survived by her husband of 47 years, Thomas P. Brinkley, Sr. of Suffolk; daughters, Tammy R. Brinkley of Larkspur, CA and Patty L. Brinkley of Norfolk, VA; a son and his wife Thomas P. Brinkley, II and Christina; nine grandchildren, Jonathan, Dustyn, Dakota, Kaleb, Savannah, Rebecca, Joshua and Noah; three brothers, Robert Gay of Courtland, VA, Barry L. Gay of Windsor, VA and Joe Humble of High Point, NC.

A graveside service will be held Tuesday, March 10, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. at Albert G. Horton, Jr. Memorial Veteran's Cemetery, with Dr. Bryan J. Ray officiating. Friends may join the family for visitation Monday evening from 7- 8 p.m. at Parr Funeral Home and Crematory, 3515 Robs Drive, Suffolk, VA and other times at the residence. Betty Jean loved her husband Tommy, family and friends dearly and will be deeply missed by them. Condolences may be registered online at www.parrfuneralhome.com