Charles Brinkley
February 24, 1930 — September 17, 2015
Charles Brinkley
Charles Edward Brinkley, Sr.
February 24, 1930 - September 17, 2015
(Excerpts from his short story "Sun Dried Sheets", copyrighted
November 6, 2003)
Charles Edward Brinkley, Sr. entered this world on February 24, 1930.
During his nine months of pure warmth and familiar voices, he was expecting to be greeted into this world in this same familiar manner to which he had become accustomed. Instead, he was welcomed by some stranger with not just "one whap, but two strong whaps to his tender butt". He would have liked to have words with that person, to protect his butt, and let those around know who they were dealing with.
Charles Edward Brinkley, Sr. was born in a two story, white frame house
in the town of Osceola, Arkansas. This small town along the banks of
the Mississippi delta lands was originally named Plum Point. The
steamboat captains would ask each other where to find wood. They
were told to go plumb to the point where wood would be for sale.
He, his parents, brothers, sisters and relatives lived through the Great
Depression of the 30's on their 880 acre farm. Families took care of
each other when the need arose. His mother cared for, fed and
nurtured any and all relatives, as well as some homeless people. She
became known in their community as an "Angel of God." These
impressions and values have always resonated inside him. He made a
promise to pass these forward with his children and their children.
Remembering events and adventures has always been very important
for Charles. Throughout his life, the people, places and events that have
come in and out of his life became the foundation, the very backbone, for endless accounts of storytelling. He believed that these events have
significance other than just the story. For instance, at the age of two,
being kicked by a large grey mule in the stomach, should create a funny
experience within itself. However, this episode with the grey mule
would provide much the same aura that had happened when he was
brought into this world. His mother picked him up off the dirt road on
which he landed. She carried him into the house onto her bed. She was
quite concerned with his health. She held him close to her warm, soft
and loving body. It was then that he realized they were lying on ‘sun
dried sheets', which had been washed by her hands and hung out to
dry in nature's sunlight. The freshness, crispness and soft texture of her
bed and her body told him immediately that he was in the presence of
one of God's Angels". This same aura and angelic sensations would be
experienced throughout the rest of his life. His parents were both tragically taken from him, but now he has the opportunity to be reunited with his precious Angel, his mother.
Charles Edward Brinkley, Sr. served honorably in the Air National Guard (Air Force) of the United States and the Air National Guard of Tennessee as a weatherman until 1953. The most telling story about this adventure would be that the Air Force did not have a uniform small enough for his stature. He would end up at Sears, purchasing his own "uniform", pants & a jacket that "looked" similar to an official uniform. Eventually, he would be stopped by a passing ranking officer who questioned him on his attire, who he was & what he was doing. To hear the story first hand included much humor and laughter at all that he was able to "get away with" while enlisted!
Charles Edward Brinkley, Sr. spent some time in Washington D.C. going up & down. By that measure, he was operating one of the elevators for members of Congress. He was finally approached by one of the members who told him he was going nowhere in this position. This member was able to secure a position for him in the Library of Congress. This position helped to enrich his love for history. He also spent some time as an intern for the Fifty-Fifth General Assembly House in Little Rock, Arkansas.
He attended Mississippi State University for a year where he enjoyed playing the coronet for the marching band. He remembers playing during halftime of the Alabama football game, in which the great Paul Bryant was coaching from the sidelines. He also attended the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. Woo Pig Sooie!! Razorbacks!!
His professional life included travel as Regional Vice-President for Sales and Marketing for trucking lines such as ABF and Jones Motor Freight. He would also serve in that role for other truck lines in states like Texas, Missouri, Iowa, and Pennsylvania. These travels, along with his personal adventures, gave richness to his life to which nothing else could compare. He shared many of these adventures, as well as his dedication to his work, with his children. These experiences will live on through them.
Charles Edward Brinkley, Sr. loved the game of golf. He used his golfing
skills to travel across the United States to some of the most scenic golf
courses for business and pleasure. He taught his children and
grandchildren how to play the game of golf. He was also a certified
Golfsmith Craftsman. He built many golf clubs for himself, family and
friends. His second love was designing and building model train sets. So
large wer the train sets that some would completely encompass the entire room or basement. Buildings and scenery would often reflect the many towns he would visit. It wasn't uncommon to see and hear 3‐4 train engines and their cars operating in different directions and on varied levels. He was a master teacher on the subject of World History. It is his storytelling and thought provoking questions that will resonate in every person that ever came in contact with him.
Charles Edward Brinkley, Sr. will be remembered for many reasons:
camping, canoeing and building chunk fires at the Buffalo River;
panning for gold in the streams of Colorado; practical jokes, his humor,
his wit; playing cards and dominoes; expanding everyone's musical
interests (Roy Orbison, Patsy Cline, Eddy Arnold, Perry Como, Sarah
Brightman, just to list a few); having a nice cold, refreshing Coke (and a
Smile); smoking the best barbecue pork shoulder equal to that of the
Dixie Pig restaurant in Blytheville, Arkansas (his favorite BBQ place);
saddling up the posse of horses for an all-day horse trail ride; riding the
rails of the Durango‐Silverton Train in Colorado; enjoying a good ole
country western movie (Open Range, Lonesome Dove, Dances with
Wolves, etc.); he was a designer and supervisor of many tasks; just
going for a scenic &/or historical drive on the back roads of Arkansas,
Tennessee, Louisiana; sharing his favorite operas, Madame Butterfly and
Phantom of the Opera with his family; and lastly, but not the least,
walking into a room with the aroma of a Dutch Master Cigar hanging
from his hand.
Beyond the adventures and storytelling, Charles will be most remembered as a caring husband, father, brother, and friend. As a husband, he devoted his love and companionship to Betty for 53 years. As a father, he provided guidance, discipline, self-thought and endless love for all five children, their spouses and children. As a brother, he provided "big brother love and care" for his siblings. And lastly, once you engaged in a conversation with him, you became a friend; a friend for life, never to be a stranger.
Charles Edward Brinkley, Sr. has now joined his mother, Verna Ruth
(Crews) Brinkley; his father, Roy Arvid Brinkley Sr.; his sister, Carolyn Joy
Brinkley; and his brother, Dr. Roy Arvid Brinkley Jr. He joined these family members on this date: September 17, 2015.
His stories will live on through his wife of 53 years, Betty Brinkley, his "Butterfly." His children, Deborah (Vikki) Brinkley, Charles Brinkley, Jr. , David Brinkley, Kevin (Victoria) Brinkley and Michael (Kim) Brinkley will continue to pass down his endless amounts of stories. The grandchildren and great grandchildren; Nick (Tristian), Heather (Cole), Ashley, Savannah, Jacob, Sarah (Brinkley), Matt (Izabelle, Hadleigh, Vivienne) will all be charged with continuing the legacy of the "Brinkley Clan." Two sisters remaining, Peggy (Bill) Holman and Vera (Louise)
Anderson, will also be charged to continue the stories. Charles Edward
Brinkley, Sr. also leaves many wonderful and outstanding nieces, nephews and cousins that will cherish their times and memories as well.
From: Jesus Calling
Enjoying Peace in His Presence by Sarah Young
September 2
"LIVING IN DEPENDENCE ON ME is a glorious adventure. Most people
scurry around busily, trying to accomplish things through their own
strength and ability. Some succeed enormously; others fail miserably.
But both groups miss what life is meant to be; living and working in
collaboration with ME.
When you depend on ME continually, your whole perspective changes.
You see miracles happening all around, while others see only natural
occurrences and ‘coincidences.' You begin each day with joyful
expectation, watching to see what I will do. You accept weakness as a
gift from Me, knowing that My Power plugs in most readily to
consecrated weakness. You keep your plans tentative, knowing that My plans are far superior. You consciously live, move, and have your being in Me, desiring that I live in you. I in you, and you in Me. This is the intimate adventure I offer you."
2 CORINTHIANS 12:9‐10; ACTS 17:28; COLOSSIANS 2:6‐7; JOHN 14;20
Memorial service held 1:00 P.M., Saturday, September 19, 2015 at Smith-Benton Funeral Home, a certified Veteran Funeral Provider, 322 N. Market St., Benton, AR 72015. Online guestbook: www.SmithFamilyCares.com.
Get along little doggie; Happy Trails to you!
Charles Edward Brinkley, Sr.
February 24, 1930 ‐ September 17, 2015
322 N. Market St.
Benton, AR, 72015
February 24, 1930 - September 17, 2015
(Excerpts from his short story "Sun Dried Sheets", copyrighted
November 6, 2003)
Charles Edward Brinkley, Sr. entered this world on February 24, 1930.
During his nine months of pure warmth and familiar voices, he was expecting to be greeted into this world in this same familiar manner to which he had become accustomed. Instead, he was welcomed by some stranger with not just "one whap, but two strong whaps to his tender butt". He would have liked to have words with that person, to protect his butt, and let those around know who they were dealing with.
Charles Edward Brinkley, Sr. was born in a two story, white frame house
in the town of Osceola, Arkansas. This small town along the banks of
the Mississippi delta lands was originally named Plum Point. The
steamboat captains would ask each other where to find wood. They
were told to go plumb to the point where wood would be for sale.
He, his parents, brothers, sisters and relatives lived through the Great
Depression of the 30's on their 880 acre farm. Families took care of
each other when the need arose. His mother cared for, fed and
nurtured any and all relatives, as well as some homeless people. She
became known in their community as an "Angel of God." These
impressions and values have always resonated inside him. He made a
promise to pass these forward with his children and their children.
Remembering events and adventures has always been very important
for Charles. Throughout his life, the people, places and events that have
come in and out of his life became the foundation, the very backbone, for endless accounts of storytelling. He believed that these events have
significance other than just the story. For instance, at the age of two,
being kicked by a large grey mule in the stomach, should create a funny
experience within itself. However, this episode with the grey mule
would provide much the same aura that had happened when he was
brought into this world. His mother picked him up off the dirt road on
which he landed. She carried him into the house onto her bed. She was
quite concerned with his health. She held him close to her warm, soft
and loving body. It was then that he realized they were lying on ‘sun
dried sheets', which had been washed by her hands and hung out to
dry in nature's sunlight. The freshness, crispness and soft texture of her
bed and her body told him immediately that he was in the presence of
one of God's Angels". This same aura and angelic sensations would be
experienced throughout the rest of his life. His parents were both tragically taken from him, but now he has the opportunity to be reunited with his precious Angel, his mother.
Charles Edward Brinkley, Sr. served honorably in the Air National Guard (Air Force) of the United States and the Air National Guard of Tennessee as a weatherman until 1953. The most telling story about this adventure would be that the Air Force did not have a uniform small enough for his stature. He would end up at Sears, purchasing his own "uniform", pants & a jacket that "looked" similar to an official uniform. Eventually, he would be stopped by a passing ranking officer who questioned him on his attire, who he was & what he was doing. To hear the story first hand included much humor and laughter at all that he was able to "get away with" while enlisted!
Charles Edward Brinkley, Sr. spent some time in Washington D.C. going up & down. By that measure, he was operating one of the elevators for members of Congress. He was finally approached by one of the members who told him he was going nowhere in this position. This member was able to secure a position for him in the Library of Congress. This position helped to enrich his love for history. He also spent some time as an intern for the Fifty-Fifth General Assembly House in Little Rock, Arkansas.
He attended Mississippi State University for a year where he enjoyed playing the coronet for the marching band. He remembers playing during halftime of the Alabama football game, in which the great Paul Bryant was coaching from the sidelines. He also attended the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. Woo Pig Sooie!! Razorbacks!!
His professional life included travel as Regional Vice-President for Sales and Marketing for trucking lines such as ABF and Jones Motor Freight. He would also serve in that role for other truck lines in states like Texas, Missouri, Iowa, and Pennsylvania. These travels, along with his personal adventures, gave richness to his life to which nothing else could compare. He shared many of these adventures, as well as his dedication to his work, with his children. These experiences will live on through them.
Charles Edward Brinkley, Sr. loved the game of golf. He used his golfing
skills to travel across the United States to some of the most scenic golf
courses for business and pleasure. He taught his children and
grandchildren how to play the game of golf. He was also a certified
Golfsmith Craftsman. He built many golf clubs for himself, family and
friends. His second love was designing and building model train sets. So
large wer the train sets that some would completely encompass the entire room or basement. Buildings and scenery would often reflect the many towns he would visit. It wasn't uncommon to see and hear 3‐4 train engines and their cars operating in different directions and on varied levels. He was a master teacher on the subject of World History. It is his storytelling and thought provoking questions that will resonate in every person that ever came in contact with him.
Charles Edward Brinkley, Sr. will be remembered for many reasons:
camping, canoeing and building chunk fires at the Buffalo River;
panning for gold in the streams of Colorado; practical jokes, his humor,
his wit; playing cards and dominoes; expanding everyone's musical
interests (Roy Orbison, Patsy Cline, Eddy Arnold, Perry Como, Sarah
Brightman, just to list a few); having a nice cold, refreshing Coke (and a
Smile); smoking the best barbecue pork shoulder equal to that of the
Dixie Pig restaurant in Blytheville, Arkansas (his favorite BBQ place);
saddling up the posse of horses for an all-day horse trail ride; riding the
rails of the Durango‐Silverton Train in Colorado; enjoying a good ole
country western movie (Open Range, Lonesome Dove, Dances with
Wolves, etc.); he was a designer and supervisor of many tasks; just
going for a scenic &/or historical drive on the back roads of Arkansas,
Tennessee, Louisiana; sharing his favorite operas, Madame Butterfly and
Phantom of the Opera with his family; and lastly, but not the least,
walking into a room with the aroma of a Dutch Master Cigar hanging
from his hand.
Beyond the adventures and storytelling, Charles will be most remembered as a caring husband, father, brother, and friend. As a husband, he devoted his love and companionship to Betty for 53 years. As a father, he provided guidance, discipline, self-thought and endless love for all five children, their spouses and children. As a brother, he provided "big brother love and care" for his siblings. And lastly, once you engaged in a conversation with him, you became a friend; a friend for life, never to be a stranger.
Charles Edward Brinkley, Sr. has now joined his mother, Verna Ruth
(Crews) Brinkley; his father, Roy Arvid Brinkley Sr.; his sister, Carolyn Joy
Brinkley; and his brother, Dr. Roy Arvid Brinkley Jr. He joined these family members on this date: September 17, 2015.
His stories will live on through his wife of 53 years, Betty Brinkley, his "Butterfly." His children, Deborah (Vikki) Brinkley, Charles Brinkley, Jr. , David Brinkley, Kevin (Victoria) Brinkley and Michael (Kim) Brinkley will continue to pass down his endless amounts of stories. The grandchildren and great grandchildren; Nick (Tristian), Heather (Cole), Ashley, Savannah, Jacob, Sarah (Brinkley), Matt (Izabelle, Hadleigh, Vivienne) will all be charged with continuing the legacy of the "Brinkley Clan." Two sisters remaining, Peggy (Bill) Holman and Vera (Louise)
Anderson, will also be charged to continue the stories. Charles Edward
Brinkley, Sr. also leaves many wonderful and outstanding nieces, nephews and cousins that will cherish their times and memories as well.
From: Jesus Calling
Enjoying Peace in His Presence by Sarah Young
September 2
"LIVING IN DEPENDENCE ON ME is a glorious adventure. Most people
scurry around busily, trying to accomplish things through their own
strength and ability. Some succeed enormously; others fail miserably.
But both groups miss what life is meant to be; living and working in
collaboration with ME.
When you depend on ME continually, your whole perspective changes.
You see miracles happening all around, while others see only natural
occurrences and ‘coincidences.' You begin each day with joyful
expectation, watching to see what I will do. You accept weakness as a
gift from Me, knowing that My Power plugs in most readily to
consecrated weakness. You keep your plans tentative, knowing that My plans are far superior. You consciously live, move, and have your being in Me, desiring that I live in you. I in you, and you in Me. This is the intimate adventure I offer you."
2 CORINTHIANS 12:9‐10; ACTS 17:28; COLOSSIANS 2:6‐7; JOHN 14;20
Memorial service held 1:00 P.M., Saturday, September 19, 2015 at Smith-Benton Funeral Home, a certified Veteran Funeral Provider, 322 N. Market St., Benton, AR 72015. Online guestbook: www.SmithFamilyCares.com.
Get along little doggie; Happy Trails to you!
Charles Edward Brinkley, Sr.
February 24, 1930 ‐ September 17, 2015
Memorial Service
SEP 19. 1:00 PM (CDT)
Smith - Benton Funeral Home322 N. Market St.
Benton, AR, 72015
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Charles Brinkley, please visit our flower store.
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