Anna Luise Bex Brinkley "Annaliese"

Anna Bex Brinkley, 89, passed away peacefully on June 30, 2025, following a long and courageous journey with Alzheimer’s disease.

Born on July 25, 1935, in Rheinhausen, Germany, Anna was the beloved daughter of the late Franz Balthasar Bex and Herta Hehs Bex. Raised in Germany, she trained as a professional ladies’ tailor, a skill that reflected both her refined craftsmanship and boundless creativity.

While in Germany, Anna met the love of her life, L. Frank Brinkley, an American soldier stationed overseas. Their love led her to a new life in the United States, where they married and raised their family. Together, they embraced the adventures of military life, living in Georgia, Germany, and Texas before settling in North Carolina to be near Frank’s family. No matter where they lived, Anna made every house a home.

Anna’s devotion to her family was the foundation of her life. She poured her heart into creating a warm, nurturing environment, sewing clothes for her daughters, hand-stitching dolls and stuffed animals, and even crafting her daughter’s wedding dress. Her hands were rarely still. She quilted, crocheted hats for premature babies at local hospitals, and stitched comfort and beauty into the world one piece at a time.

A lifelong reader, Anna found joy in trips to the library, especially with her grandchildren. She cherished sharing stories, passing down traditions, and watching her family grow. Her legacy lives on in the memories she helped create, stitched lovingly into the fabric of her family’s lives.

Later in life, Anna found community and joy at the Garner Senior Center, where she delighted in listening to others’ stories, sharing her own, and offering her quiet wisdom. When Alzheimer’s began to touch her life, she faced it with the same grace, strength, and patience that defined her. Over nine years, she showed her family what true courage looks like.

The verses that best reflect her spirit come from Proverbs 31:25–26: “She is clothed with strength and dignity… When she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instruction with kindness.”

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 53 years, L. Frank Brinkley (2013); her brother, Kurt Rainer Bex (Gisela); and her sister, Erika Gerlach (Gunter) all of whom she loved dearly.

Anna is survived by her daughters, Patricia B. Simmons (David) of Garner, and Sharon Lee “Blondy” Brinkley of Raleigh; grandchildren, Johanna Simmons Brinkley (Jared) of New Bern, and Michael Simmons (Abbey) of Raleigh; great-grandchildren, Weldon “Wells” Taylor Brinkley, Chesson Bex Brinkley, and Sunday Drü Simmons; and by many nieces and nephews.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, July 12, at 11:00 AM at Bryan-Lee Funeral Home, 1200 Benson Road, Garner, NC 27529. The family will receive visitors prior to the service, from 10:00 to 10:45 AM. Interment will follow at Montlawn Memorial Park, 2911 S. Wilmington Street, Raleigh, NC 27603.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Anna’s memory to Transitions LifeCare or to the Alzheimer's Association.