Opal White Brinkley

Opal White Brinkley, 97, of Oxford, NC died Thursday, May 21, 2020. She was born in Beaufort County on June 1, 1922 to her now predeceased parents, Daniel Cherry and Pearlie Cherry Shackelford.

Opal was raised on a farm in the Old Ford community of Little Washington, NC. She moved to Oxford, NC in 1944 where she and her husband Doug raised their family. Opal was a career Health Care Technician at Murdoch Developmental Center where she worked for 25 years. She was a lifelong member of the Oxford Baptist Church.

Opal was a compassionate mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. The embodiment of sassy wit, charm and youthfulness, she was defiant of all traditional rules of aging and lived independently until age 97. If ever asked of her age she was quick to reply, “Age is a number and mine is unlisted”. Opal was truly loved by all that knew her.

Opal is survived by her daughter, Gaynelle White Finch; grandsons, F.O. Finch, III, and Jason D. Finch and his wife Julie B. Finch; great grandchildren, Brooks Owen Finch, Sarah Opal Finch; nephew, Glenn Cherry; and daughter-in-law, Joyce H. White. Opal is predeceased by her parents; husband, Douglas E. White; son, Larry D. White; son-in-law, F.O. Finch, II; and brother, Melvin Cherry.

A private graveside service will be held at Elmwood Cemetery in Oxford with Rev. Chris Aho officiating. The public is invited to view the service remotely by following the link provided above. The link will become active at 12:55 pm on Tuesday, May 26, 2020.

Click here to view Opal White Brinkley’s livestream service

Flowers are appreciated or memorials may be made in her memory to Oxford Baptist Church Youth, PO Box 398, Oxford, NC 27565.

The family would like to extend a very special thank you to Brantwood Nursing and Rehab Center for the love and care that was provided in such challenging times.

The family is proudly being served by Gentry-Newell & Vaughan Funeral Home, 503 College St., Oxford, NC, 27565.

Online memorials: www.GNVFuneralHome.com.