Shirley Dean (Wise) Brinkley was born July 28, 1935, in Edinburg, Texas, and passed away September 27, 2025, at home in Houston, Texas. She met William Robert “Bill” Brinkley while attending Willis High School. They married when she was nineteen and began a lifelong partnership. Shirley graduated with the Sam Houston State University Class of 1957 and completed her graduate studies in Home Economics at Sam Houston State University before teaching at the University of Houston. At home in Houston, she was a devoted parent, gifted homemaker, and gardening enthusiast. She also cherished time spent at their weekend home on Lake Livingston with family and special neighbors and friends.
Shirley spent countless hours researching genealogy with Bill and Kevin in rural libraries, cemeteries, and county seats throughout Louisiana, Mississippi, Georgia, the Carolinas, and Texas, as well as the National Family History Library in Salt Lake City. She also served as family genealogist/historian at County Line Cemetery near Peach Creek, tracing lines back through her great grandfather, Ambrose Dean, who donated land for the establishment of the County Line Primitive Baptist Church.
Shirley was modifying and circulating recipes decades before the internet made it commonplace. Gifts from her garden and kitchen were a hallmark of her generosity. She also delighted in fishing throughout her life but especially treasured time fishing with her parents, T.J. and Stella, and with neighbors Vera and William Edwards. She often gave canned, baked, and preserved goods from her kitchen and flowers and produce from her garden. She enjoyed shelling black-eyed peas and crowders with her mom and, later, with son Kevin.
Shirley is survived by her son, William Kevin Brinkley; sister-in-law Olivia Dell Wise; nephews Michael Wise, Stephen Wise, Bud Brinkley and Michael Jones; and nieces Chandra Campbell, Debbie Gallup, Kathy McEntee, Dolores Brinkley and Linda Brinkley; as well as numerous other loving nieces and nephews. She will be remembered by all for her devotion, steadiness, and love.
A visitation for Shirley will be held Wednesday, October 8, 2025 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Metcalf Funeral Directors, 1801 E White Oak Terrace, Conroe, Texas 77304. A graveside service and interment will occur Thursday, October 9, 2025 at 11:00 AM at County Line Cemetery, FM 3081 and Brown Road, Willis, Texas 77378.
