Arthur Charles Brink

July 1, 1953 - July 21, 2026

Arthur “Artie” Brink, 73, passed away on July 21, 2026, in Nashville, TN.

Artie was born on July 1, 1953 in Sumter, SC to Robert and Irene Brink, and was the eldest of six children. Later in life, the family moved to Sylvania, GA where Artie graduated from Screven County High School in 1971. Upon graduating, he enlisted in the U.S. Army, completing basic training at Fort Jackson in Columbia, SC, and was stationed in Korea. He served for three years before he was honorably discharged in 1974.

After his time in the service, Artie moved to Beaufort, SC where his family had relocated to. There, he worked at his family’s auto body repair shop, Brink’s Auto Repair, for a number of years. He also met his wife, Donna Faye Riley, in Beaufort, whom he married in January of 1980. They remained married for 45 years until her passing in April of 2025.

In the mid-1980s, Artie and Donna relocated to TN, where Artie continued his auto body work, eventually starting his own repair and paint shop, A&G Automotive, with his lifelong friend, Glenn Porter. Artie had such a passion for painting and art that he enrolled at Nossi College of Art, graduating with an Associate of Occupational Studies in Commercial Art in 1995. He went on to work at various other body shops around the Mt. Juliet and Nashville areas before retiring from Mitchell Motor Company in 2025.

Aside from being an extraordinary auto body repairman and painter, over the years Artie also grew into a phenomenal cook, amateur photographer, and avid outdoorsman. He enjoyed spending his free time fishing, camping, traveling, grilling, and playing with his dogs. Most importantly, he loved spending time with his wife and best friend, Donna, who was his whole world. Artie was also a faithful Christian, being a member of Cornerstone Nashville with his wife for around 20 years.

Artie had a very kind and gentle soul. He had a big heart, was very generous, and always went above and beyond to make sure his loved ones were taken care of. He had so many stories to tell about his life, family, and exciting adventures. Above all else, Artie had a sense of humor that could have you smiling and laughing for days.

Artie was preceded in death by his wife, Donna Brink; parents, Robert and Irene Brink; two brothers, Warren Brink and Bobby Brink; and three sisters, Robyn Horne, Karen Beere, and Cindy Parker. He is survived by his step-daughter, Mary Lancaster; many nieces and nephews; and his fur babies, Buster, Ellie, and Isabelle. In Artie’s passing, a generation ends, but is carried forward in the love they gave, the children they raised, and the lives they shaped.

A service to celebrate Artie’s life will be held on July 27, 2026, at 12PM at Hermitage Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens, located at 535 Shute Ln, Old Hickory, TN 37138. Visitation will take place prior to the service on July 27th from 10AM to 12PM. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared with the Brink family by selecting "Add a Memory" at the bottom of this page.

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." - 2 Timothy 4:7