Dorothy Rachel Byrd Brinkley, 84, of Suffolk passed away on January 25, 2010. A native of Nansemond County, VA she was the daughter of the late J. Pressley Byrd, Sr. and Dorothy Lamb Byrd. She was also predeceased by her husband of 56 years, R. Ryland Brinkley, Sr. and her sister, Janie B. Aston. Rachel was a homemaker and long time member of Eureka Baptist Church where she served as Financial Secretary for many years. She was also Past President and member of the Woman's Missionary Union; Lottie Moon Circle; former teacher for the Sunday School; Youth Organization and Vacation Bible School; and a member of the Ida K. Brinkley Sunday School Class. Rachel was a member of the Young at Heart Seniors Club and Bethlehem Fellowship Club. She enjoyed gardening, traveling and gave many hours of volunteer service to the community.

She is survived by her sons and daughters-in-law: Robert R. Brinkley, Jr. and Jean of Suffolk; Carlton P. "C.P." Brinkley and Mary Jo of Buena Vista; Fred Brinkley and Janet, and Roger Brinkley and Jo Anne, all of Suffolk; six grandchildren: Karen B. McCullough and husband Chris; Jill B. Mizelle and husband, Jonathan; Stacy Brinkley; Mary Beth Johnson and husband, Ryan; Katherine Brinkley, Nathan Brinkley and fiancée Ashley Flythe; and three great grandchildren: Carlie McCullough, Brinkley Johnson and Emily Mizelle; brothers, J. "Jack" Pressley Byrd, Jr. and Beverly F. Byrd.

A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, January 27, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. at Eureka Baptist Church with Rev. Mickey Willard and Rev. Cameron Currin officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Friends may join the family on Tuesday evening from 7 – 8 p.m. at Parr Funeral Home and Crematory, 3515 Robs Drive, Suffolk and other times at the home of Roger and Jo Anne Brinkley. Memorial donations may be made to Eureka Baptist Church Memorial Fund,
P.O. Box 68, Corapeake, NC 27926. Condolences may be registered online at www.parrfuneralhome.com