Agnes Brinkman Farrell

Agnes Louise Brinkman was born in Birch, Texas on October 27, 1942, to parents Daniel and Selma Brinkman. She spent her childhood as a small town country girl, helping her parents with chores on the family property. She spoke of her days churning butter, picking cotton, gathering eggs, and even driving a tractor at five years old!

Agnes began her schooling in Dime Box. In 1956, her family moved to Austin. Agnes attended Fulmore Middle School, where she met the love of her life, Charles Avery Farrell (Chuck). They proceeded to attend William B. Travis High School together.

On June 24, 1961, she became Agnes Farrell when she and Chuck married shortly after their high school graduation.

Agnes and Chuck welcomed three children together: Kevin Wayne Farrell (1963), Debra Kay Farrell (1964), and Stacy Lynn Farrell (1967). They raised their children primarily in Austin.

Agnes' professional career was diverse. She was highly intelligent and picked up on things very quickly. She spoke often about the time she spent working in a doctor's office, writing in shorthand and learning about the different ailments of the patients that came for visits. Agnes also supported Chuck in his electrical business. However, her favorite job, by far, was working in the Athletics Department at the University of Texas. She served as the head football coach's secretary, working for legends like Darrell K. Royal and Fred Akres. She was a proud UT fan, and kept her enthusiasm for the Texas Longhorns even after her retirement in 1985.

Agnes' five grandchildren affectionately called her "Gran". She enjoyed spoiling them rotten, but not as much as they enjoyed being spoiled by her. She always excitedly prepared their favorite meals for them, and had a freezer stocked with Blue Bell Homemade Ice Cream waiting for dessert.

Agnes and Chuck spent their free time fishing, golfing, and gambling together. She was highly competitive with every sport or activity in which she participated. She would brag about how she once spent eight hours straight at a craps table without taking a single break. Her more leisurely activities often included playing double-nine dominoes and hosting fish frys with family. She also took much pride in her beautiful yard, plants, and flowers.

Agnes created many gorgeous quilts that are cherished by her family members. She was also famous for sewing much-loved baby blankets, and sharing them with friends and family everywhere. One of Agnes' baby blankets even traveled all the way to Germany to share her love with a family friend's newborn. As a skilled seamstress, there wasn't a damaged piece of clothing she couldn't repair, or a stain she couldn’t get out.

Agnes loved being active. She was always working on projects and staying in motion. She enjoyed daily walks, and even accomplished the impressive feat of reaching one thousand days in a row with ten thousand steps per day at the age of 80!

Agnes was sweet, feisty, adventurous, fun, and above all, extremely proud of and loving toward her family.

On July 2, 2024, Agnes peacefully went home to be with the Lord while surrounded by her loving family. She is preceded in death by her children Kevin and Debra Farrell, sister Mary Ann Herwig, and parents Selma and Daniel Brinkman.

Agnes is survived by her loving husband of 63 years, Chuck Farrell, daughter Stacy Robertson (Tommy), siblings Daniel Brinkman (Jane) and Betty Freeman (Roger), five grandchildren (Cory Farrell and wife Desirae, Kyle Farrell and wife Devon, Natalie Robertson, Casey Farrell, and Allison Robertson), five great-grandchildren (Avery, Carson, Sawyer, Jimmie, and Sydney), and many other nieces, nephews, and cousins.