Joe was one of the most genuine and caring people I have ever met. He was the type of guy that would drop whatever he was doing if a friend needed him, which is increasingly rare these days.

I meet Joe in middle school and we unfortunately lost touch after high school. I was lucky enough to reunite with him a few years later when i started a new job at SunTrust. I can still remember walking to my new desk 14 years ago and seeing his smiling face. He taught me the ropes back in those days and has been a great co-worker and friend ever since.

I had the pleasure of crossing professional paths with Joe many times over the years.  He was clever, gregarious, irreverent and funny, and, above all, involved.  Over the past couple of days, I've heard stories about Joe from people who I didn't even know had interacted with him.  He never met a stranger.

My heart goes out to Tara and the kids.  You're in my thoughts.

I worked with Joe in the SunTrust Mortgage Product Support Department.  He made work fun! He had a wonderful sense of humor, he was kind, he was smart, and he was generous with his time when you asked him for help.  I will remember his self-deprecating smile, for sure!  I am saddened by his passing, but I am thanking God for putting him in my path. 

Praying for comfort and strength for Tara, Harrison and Piper at this time. Peace & Love, 

I was so sorry to hear about Joseph's passing. He was such a great guy, loved everyone and was so willing to help. I will miss him greatly.

I worked with Joe in Mortgage Product Support and he made work fun!  His sense of humor, his kindness, his ability to help 'figure things out' and willingness to help you made him a great teammate and I know these made him a great husband and dad, too.

I thank God for putting him in my path during this too short stay here with us. He was truly a great guy!

I am heartbroken for Tara, Harrison and Piper, but am praying that God will give them comfort and strength during this time and in the future as they carry on his legacy.  Peace & Love, 

Joe was such an amazingly genuine, optimistic, and hilarious individual! He was always willing to aid in any endeavor and was a true friend in every conversation. I can't even start to count the amount of laughter I shared with him, which is how I'll always remember him.

While I'm sad he left us so early, I thoroughly enjoyed the time that our paths crossed and I know I'm a better person for his influence. I've no doubt the positive imprint he left on all of those around him will live on into perpetuity. The Turners send their deepest condolences to Joe's Family, but know that we are thinking of you in this extremely hard time.

There wasn’t a time I can remember seeing Joe that he didn’t make me laugh until my sides hurt. This world will be a bit dimmer without his light.

I had the pleasure of working with both Joe and Tara.  Joe was a very kind and generous person who I always knew I could count on for any kind of business related assistance.  While I haven’t worked at SunTrust in many years, I will always remember Joe’s smile, his sense of humor, and his kind heart.  My heart goes out to Tara and the children.  I know he will be missed but never forgotten. 

Part of the fun of hanging around Joe was how many people he seemed to know. I recall riding in the elevator with Joe on numerous occasions and was amazed at the number of people that Joe knew and that knew Joe. He seemed to know EVERYONE. It was amazing to be talking to people that would invariably know Joe and mention him when he was not even around. I recall talking to  a trainer during the infamous Model Office and he made the comment "you know who is a pretty darn good electrician?" I said no. Who would that be? He said Joe Brinkley.  I started to come to believe that Joe Brinkley could do about anything. I heard stories of his assistance with cars, stereo systems, tractors, roofing, electrical work, computers, phones, and air conditioners to name a few. 

Every time I see his name, I can hear him laugh. I have worked with him on a few projects, but never met him in person. I was telling my husband that there was never a single conversation with Joe where the smile on his face didn't come through over the phone. Such a warm man, with so much love for his family. I usually would have a silly complaint about my kids, and he would say something so nice, and so comforting in return to put things in perspective. I remember him talking about his kids' education. May they succeed beyond his dreams for them. 

I can't believe he is gone. I really can't.  Praying for peace, and comfort for his family. 

Joe had a rather course sense of humor, but was such a genuine person. He could be saying something so course and funny and then in the next moment be sharing something very personal and real. One afternoon we were talking about little practical jokes that we had played and then for some reason we got to talking about kids and family. He started talking about how much he loved his family and kids and how he tried to teach them about the important things in life and all the challenges he faced as a parent. He was a truly remarkable person and one I will miss an awful lot. 

I have lost count of the times that I needed help with something and Joe was there to bail me out. Here is one story. My computer (so many of my problems begin this way) was getting near unusable and I was complaining. Joe heard and laughed like he always does. He said he knew a guy that working in the IT area. That afternoon Joe and his guy come strolling up and in minutes my computer was up and running again. Joe always just brushed off these massively helpful acts as if he had done nothing of any consequence. He would laugh  and stroll off.

Dear Brinkley Family,

Please accept my prayers and condolences for your family during this incredibly difficult time. I worked with Joe at SunTrust now Truist for many years and remember him fondly. He had such a witty sense of humor and friendly, kind demeanor. He frequently mentioned his family in conversation - it was clear you all were his world.  

He will be missed, but I hope the memories wrap you all in comfort and love. 

Sincerely,

Kendall Burgess

When we still worked with each other at Wilmer Avenue, Joe would always grab me and say "Hey, how about  a ride toe GoodWill today over lunch?"  We'd go and he would always find a few new dress shirts for work for like $2-3 and he would be so excited he saved so much money.  Just a great fun guy all around who will dearly be missed.  His family, his little farm and his work were everything to him.  Til we meet again Joe, Joyce

Dear Tara,

Please accept my deepest condolences. Joe was such a treasure and so kind. We will all miss him so. My prayers are with you and your whole family.

Grace Holcomb