Obituary for Naomi Brinkley Hunter (Brinkley)
Naomi Gladys Brinkley Hunter was born on September 18, 1933, in Warren County, North Carolina to the late Leslie and Otelia Brinkley. On Saturday morning, March 16, 2019, God came to receive his own, our beloved Mother Naomi. He quietly tucked her under his wings and took her peacefully to her heavenly home.
Naomi was one of nine children—she was the baby girl and her sisters and brothers always looked out for her. Naomi was educated in the Warren County public schools. She accepted Christ and was baptized at the tender age of 10, at Lee’s Chapel Baptist Church in Littleton, North Carolina. She was always a light, shining bright amongst others in her early age, by exemplifying her love and dedication to Jesus Christ. She was never ashamed to share her testimony with anyone about the goodness of Jesus and what He’s done for her. Naomi NEVER wore pants, make up, or had her ears pierced. She was a natural beauty, always wearing a beautiful smile. She adored wearing her church hats-her Crown. She was a Virtuous Woman, who loved dressing classy and stylish from head to toe along with her matching handbags. Singing was her passion and she enjoyed sharing her talent with everyone. Her favorite song to sing was “If You Only Knew, Just How Much Jesus Cares”. She would always let you know that she and her sister Sallie sang in a gospel group and had the opportunity to be featured on the local radio station.
In 1952, Naomi married James Henry Hunter who preceded her in death. To this union eight children were born: Joyce, Charles, Curtis, Mildred, James, Barbara, Nelson and Pamela. Seeking better opportunities, in 1963, she migrated north to Newport News, Virginia. In 1964, she joined Gospel Light United Holy Church and was a loyal and dedicated member for 55 years. She served as a member of the Mass and Senior choirs, Missionary Board, and Mother’s Board. She served as a loyal Church Mother: guiding, teaching, and role modeling Christ like behavior to younger women in church.
Naomi was a leader in and out of church. She was a dedicated employee who worked various jobs to care and provide for her family. Naomi was a Meat department manager at Night and Day Supermarket and one of the only female butchers in the area. Later, she went on to seek employment with James River Convalescent Nursing Center; where she retired in the fall of 1996. In all her employment, she had only one request- “I MUST be off on Sundays!” and all her employers obliged. One of her favorite past times, was attending Fellowship services. Her Pastor could always depend on her to take the church offering in representation of Gospel Light UHC. She enjoyed going to gospel concerts/singings. She was an honorary member of Rising Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Richmond, Virginia where she attended regularly with her daughter Barbara. She loved hearing Pastor Roscoe Cooper III preach the word. She was also a faithful visitor of Rev. Lloyd Fox’s churches, from Grants Hill Baptist Church in Colonial Beach, VA to Enon Baptist Church in Washington, DC. She loved attending family gatherings (Brinkley and Lee family reunions), spending time with her children, hanging out with her girls, and watching her great grandchildren play. She had a joy for traveling and whichever daughter got there first to pick her up, where she was ready and waiting at least two hours before pick up time. She enjoyed dining out and her favorite was Kentucky Fried Chicken.
Naomi was preceded in death by her siblings: Cle, Jasper, Andrew, Pattie, Nina and Sallie. Her sons: Charles and James.
Naomi leaves to cherish her amazing memories, her loving and devoted daughters, Joyce (Herman) Cottman, Mildred Fox, Barbara Garrett, Pamela (Mack) Johnson. Sons, Curtis Hunter and Nelson Cleven Hunter; Sister, Lucinda Battle and brother, Leslie Brinkley, Jr.- both of Littleton, NC; Brother-in-law Elbert Wilkins (Wylene) of Philadelphia, PA and Sister-in-Laws Lillie Brinkley of Baltimore, MD and Earlene Hunter of Newport News, VA; Daughter-in-Law, Anita Hunter. Grandchildren – Cheryl Hunter, Charlitta Knightnor (Maurice), Altonia Garrett, Erica Hunter, Naomi Green (Sam), Alphonso Garrett Jr.(Vanessa), Charles Hunter Jr. (Riche`), Jermaine Hunter, DeMarco Fox, and Jamotia Hunter; twelve (12) great grandchildren and three (3) great great grandchildren. A host of nieces, nephews, cousins and many many friends. God daughters, Karen (Tim) Cherry, Mary (Patrick) Mills, a Son in Love, Frederick Moffett and her loyal Caregiver – Marcella Clark.
Naomi was one of nine children—she was the baby girl and her sisters and brothers always looked out for her. Naomi was educated in the Warren County public schools. She accepted Christ and was baptized at the tender age of 10, at Lee’s Chapel Baptist Church in Littleton, North Carolina. She was always a light, shining bright amongst others in her early age, by exemplifying her love and dedication to Jesus Christ. She was never ashamed to share her testimony with anyone about the goodness of Jesus and what He’s done for her. Naomi NEVER wore pants, make up, or had her ears pierced. She was a natural beauty, always wearing a beautiful smile. She adored wearing her church hats-her Crown. She was a Virtuous Woman, who loved dressing classy and stylish from head to toe along with her matching handbags. Singing was her passion and she enjoyed sharing her talent with everyone. Her favorite song to sing was “If You Only Knew, Just How Much Jesus Cares”. She would always let you know that she and her sister Sallie sang in a gospel group and had the opportunity to be featured on the local radio station.
In 1952, Naomi married James Henry Hunter who preceded her in death. To this union eight children were born: Joyce, Charles, Curtis, Mildred, James, Barbara, Nelson and Pamela. Seeking better opportunities, in 1963, she migrated north to Newport News, Virginia. In 1964, she joined Gospel Light United Holy Church and was a loyal and dedicated member for 55 years. She served as a member of the Mass and Senior choirs, Missionary Board, and Mother’s Board. She served as a loyal Church Mother: guiding, teaching, and role modeling Christ like behavior to younger women in church.
Naomi was a leader in and out of church. She was a dedicated employee who worked various jobs to care and provide for her family. Naomi was a Meat department manager at Night and Day Supermarket and one of the only female butchers in the area. Later, she went on to seek employment with James River Convalescent Nursing Center; where she retired in the fall of 1996. In all her employment, she had only one request- “I MUST be off on Sundays!” and all her employers obliged. One of her favorite past times, was attending Fellowship services. Her Pastor could always depend on her to take the church offering in representation of Gospel Light UHC. She enjoyed going to gospel concerts/singings. She was an honorary member of Rising Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Richmond, Virginia where she attended regularly with her daughter Barbara. She loved hearing Pastor Roscoe Cooper III preach the word. She was also a faithful visitor of Rev. Lloyd Fox’s churches, from Grants Hill Baptist Church in Colonial Beach, VA to Enon Baptist Church in Washington, DC. She loved attending family gatherings (Brinkley and Lee family reunions), spending time with her children, hanging out with her girls, and watching her great grandchildren play. She had a joy for traveling and whichever daughter got there first to pick her up, where she was ready and waiting at least two hours before pick up time. She enjoyed dining out and her favorite was Kentucky Fried Chicken.
Naomi was preceded in death by her siblings: Cle, Jasper, Andrew, Pattie, Nina and Sallie. Her sons: Charles and James.
Naomi leaves to cherish her amazing memories, her loving and devoted daughters, Joyce (Herman) Cottman, Mildred Fox, Barbara Garrett, Pamela (Mack) Johnson. Sons, Curtis Hunter and Nelson Cleven Hunter; Sister, Lucinda Battle and brother, Leslie Brinkley, Jr.- both of Littleton, NC; Brother-in-law Elbert Wilkins (Wylene) of Philadelphia, PA and Sister-in-Laws Lillie Brinkley of Baltimore, MD and Earlene Hunter of Newport News, VA; Daughter-in-Law, Anita Hunter. Grandchildren – Cheryl Hunter, Charlitta Knightnor (Maurice), Altonia Garrett, Erica Hunter, Naomi Green (Sam), Alphonso Garrett Jr.(Vanessa), Charles Hunter Jr. (Riche`), Jermaine Hunter, DeMarco Fox, and Jamotia Hunter; twelve (12) great grandchildren and three (3) great great grandchildren. A host of nieces, nephews, cousins and many many friends. God daughters, Karen (Tim) Cherry, Mary (Patrick) Mills, a Son in Love, Frederick Moffett and her loyal Caregiver – Marcella Clark.