The Shadow
Lewis Russell Brinkley
Lewis Russell Brinkley, age 88, of Clifton Forge, Virginia died Wednesday, April 8, 2026 peacefully and in the presence of his family.
He was born in Torrington, Connecticut on May 18, 1937, the first of five, to the late Lewis Merritt Brinkley and Mary Elizabeth Hardy Brinkley. He earned his bachelor’s degree while in the cadet corps of Virginia Polytechnic Institute followed by serving in the United States Army; and later received his master’s degree in business administration from New York Institute of Technology. Lewis worked 44 years at Westvaco corporation primarily in technical sales service in the Kraft division in Covington, VA, New York, NY, Charleston, SC, and Richmond, Va.
Lewis will be remembered for his lifelong work ethic, his dutiful adherence to staying productive, his gregariousness, and his sacrifice and love for his family.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 55 years, Margaret Rankin Brinkley; a sister, Ruth Brinkley Mays; a brother, Carl David Brinkley; and a sister, Sarah Brinkley Rice (C.S.).
Lewis is survived by two sons, Eric S. Brinkley and Paul L. Brinkley; a brother, Richard Brinkley; as well as a number of in-laws, nieces and nephews.
A graveside service was held on Friday, April 10, 2026 at 1:00pm in Woodland Church Cemetery in Millboro, Virginia. Interment immediately followed.
Nicely Funeral Home, Clifton Forge handled the arrangements.
To send condolences to the family online, please visit www.nicelyfuneralhome.com
