Friday, February 14, 2025

Margaret Elizabeth Thompson Brinkley, 84, member of the Gaye Rakes Garden Club

Margaret Elizabeth Thompson Brinkley

WILMINGTON — Margaret Elizabeth Thompson Brinkley, 84, passed away Sunday, Feb. 14, 2021, on the day of love, at home surrounded by her loving family.

Margaret was born March 9, 1936, to the late Jack Castleberry and Margaret Johnson Thompson of Wilmington. Margaret’s grandparents were the late Thomas Henry and Maggie Hodges Thompson of Wilmington and Richard Olin and Jessie Adlaide Johnson of Nichols, South Carolina.

Margaret is survived by her children, Lloyd Crocker Brinkley Jr. (Lisa), Leslie Elizabeth Brinkley (Eric) and Jacquelyn Brinkley Coyle (Mack); beloved grandchildren, Jack, Rex, Everett and Lauren; sister-in-law, Elisabeth Brinkley; nieces, Angela Brinkley and Barbara Brinkley-Lopez; nephew, Edwin Turner Brinkley Jr.; many great-nieces and great-nephews; special lifelong friends, Edna Lee Frost, Margaret Head Hummel and Judy Wartman; in-laws by marriage, Chris and Terry Rosenfelder of Wilmington, Joe and Joan Hancock of Greenwich, New Jersey, and Eugene Coyle of Berkeley, California.

Margaret was preceded in death by her husband, Lloyd Crocker Brinkley Sr.; sister, Jacquelyn Vere Thompson; sister-in-law, Barbara Lee Brinkley; and brother-in-law, Edwin Turner Brinkley Sr., all of Wilmington; aunts, Carrie, Maggie May and Rosa Thompson; and uncle, Henry Thompson.

Margaret was lucky to spend her summers in Wrightsville Beach, especially with her dad, Jack, who was the mayor and owner of The Crest Movie Theatre. Margaret was a graduate of New Hanover High School in Wilmington and Saint Mary’s College in Raleigh.

She then traveled extensively throughout Europe before marrying her high school sweetheart, Lloyd Crocker Brinkley, in 1956. They resided and raised their family in Chapel Hill. Margaret had many talents and interests. She was a gourmet cook and an amazing baker for family and loved ones. She loved to host dinner and birthday parties. She was a member of the Gaye Rakes Garden Club and passionately tended her beautiful rose garden. She was a member of The Junior League, The Country Club and The Church of the Holy Family.

Margaret moved back to her hometown of Wilmington in 1986 and was a business co-owner with her son, Lloyd Brinkley Jr., of Lloyd’s of Landscape and Nursery until her retirement in March 2001.

She enjoyed attending Saint James Episcopal Church with her family. Margaret was a true beauty with an iconic style, a great lady with grace.
Most important to her was her fierce loyalty and love for her family, “I loved you from the start.”

The family would like to express a special note of thanks to her amazing, kind and “impeccably dressed” Dr. Peter Manolukas and kind Nurse Lynn.

Private family funeral services for Margaret Thompson Brinkley will be held Tuesday, Feb. 23, at the Thompson Family Mausoleum in Oakdale Cemetery officiated by the Rev. Ronald G. Abrams. Services will be private. A celebration of Margaret’s life will be held at a later date. Pallbearers will be Lloyd, Eric, Mack, Jack, Rex and Everett.

Memorials may be made in honor of Margaret T. Brinkley to the American Heart Association.

Share online condolences with the family at Andrews Mortuary & Crematory.

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