Eileen Mae Eppelsheimer Brinkley

Eileen Brinkley, aged 89, went to be with her Lord and Savior after a life filled with spreading joy and happiness on September 20, 2021. She was born in Ridley Park, PA on October 1, 1931 as the only child of Paul Cyril (Epps) and Hazel Eppelsheimer. When Eileen was young, her family moved to Atlanta, GA where she was raised and gained a love for photography and gardening. After graduating from North Fulton High School in 1948, Eileen attended Winthrop College, SC, graduating as class valedictorian in 1952, with a BS in Business Administration. Upon her return to Atlanta, she worked for IBM as an executive assistant, where she met Benjamin Bunn Brinkley, from Columbia SC. They married on April 6, 1957 at Second Ponce de Leon Baptist Church in Atlanta, GA.

They proudly raised three loving children, instilling a love for Christ and science. During these years Eileen continued her quest for knowledge by attending Georgia Institute of Technology where she earned a Bachelor’s in Mathematics, and then Georgia State University where she earned a Master’s of Science in Decision Sciences.

Upon the passing of her husband, Eileen moved to Raleigh, NC in 2003 and became active at Forest Hills Baptist Church. She quickly became involved in many outreach activities including Women on Mission and visiting the “In Crowd”. She particularly enjoyed sharing Christ’s love through teaching English as a Second Language (ESL). In 2012, she was recognized for her faithful service by the Baptist Convention of North Carolina as the Literary Missions Volunteer of the Year.

She is survived by her children Betty (& Kenn) Gardner, Cynthia Brinkley, and Buddy (& Melody) Brinkley; Grandchildren: Rebecca (& Jordan) Johnson, Amelia (& Kevin) Dean, Hannah (& Michael) Marvin, Eva Grace Brinkley, Ellakyn Brinkley, and William Brinkley; Great-grandchildren: Noah, Landon & Eli Johnson; Claire, Graham & Zoe Dean; Savannah & Madilynn Marvin.

Eileen will be remembered for her strong faith, her kind and gentle spirit, her willingness to help others, and her love for her family.

A celebration of life service is planned on Friday, September 24 at 11:00 am in the sanctuary of Forest Hills Baptist Church in Raleigh. She will be interred next to her husband at Westview Cemetery, Atlanta, GA.

In lieu of flowers, it was Eileen’s wish that donations be made to Forest Hills Baptist Church specifying use in the ESL Program. The address is Forest Hills Baptist Church, 201 Dixie Trail, Raleigh, NC 27607.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.BrownWynneCary.com for the Brinkley family.