Myrtie Brinkley Gardner, 89, passed away on February 17, 2008 with family by her side. Mrs. Gardner was born in Nansemond County. She was the daughter of the late Jethro Byrd and Annie Bettie Smith Byrd. She was loved and cared for by her husband of 27 years, B. L. Gardner. She was predeceased by her husband, Harry Lewis Brinkley; 1 grandson, James R. Brinkley; 4 brothers; and 4 sisters.

Left to cherish her memory are 8 sons and 1 daughter all of Suffolk, VA, Willis B. "Sonny" and Betty June Brinkley, Wesley J. "Shorty" Brinkley and Doris Tarkington, Floyd N. and Louise Brinkley, James R. "Heartbeat" and Gloria Brinkley, Jessie L. Brinkley and Catherine Brinkley, Earl D. Brinkley and Patricia Vann, Betty Joe and Joseph A. Harris, John and Cindy Brinkley, and W.H. "Bill" Brinkley; 24 grandchildren, Brian Brinkley, David Brinkley, Janet Cortez, Chris Brinkley, Diane Ferebee, Myrtie Norell, Jesse Brinkley, Virginia Engle, Amy Hayden, Jessica Brinkley, Shawn Brinkley, Ashley Brinkley, Deborah Owens, Patricia Aragon, John William Brinkley, William J. Brinkley, and Walter Brinkley; 35 great grandchildren, Meghan, Ashley, Bennie, Pamela, Paul, Courtney, Renee, Claire, C.J., Melissa, Miranda, Jonathon, Elizabeth, Jacob, Kristen, Dylan, Derrick, Kenny, Jonathan, Victoria, Joseph, Isabel, Josiah, Julianna, Peyton, and Carson; and 7 great great grandchildren.

She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, great great grandmother, and aunt. To the rest of her loving family and friends she was a great role model and always put a smile on everyone's face. She will truly be missed by all.

A graveside service will be held Wednesday, February 20, 2008 at 2 p.m. at Cypress Chapel Christian Church Cemetery with Rev. Mike Derflinger officiating. Friends may join the family other times at the residence of Betty Joe and Joseph Harris. Parr Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the family. Condolences may be registered online at www.parrfuneralhome.com.