Mrs. Judy Kay Brinkman, 74, of Hattiesburg, Mississippi, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, in her home.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, November 8, 2025, at 1:00 PM in the Chapel of Chase Funeral Home, with Pastor Roy Dale Smith officiating. Burial will follow at Palmer Shelter Cemetery.

The family will receive friends in the Chapel of Chase Funeral Home on Saturday from 11:00 AM until the time of service.

Pallbearers will be Chris Bergman, Wen-Yang Chiang, Derek Jacobs, Will Sanders, and Michael Wain.

Judy was born on June 29, 1951, in Huntingdon, Tennessee, to the late James Bernice Sanders and Imogene Willodean "Polly" Smith Sanders. She graduated from Columbia High School, attended Southern Illinois University, and worked as a florist.

Judy and Alan met in Freeport, Illinois, and were married about a year later on October 8, 1977. Over the following ten years, they welcomed three daughters. Judy loved being a mother and devoted herself fully to caring for her family, sewing dresses, baking cakes, and creating magical bedtime stories that her children cherished.

A courageous and determined woman, Judy returned to her studies after her children were grown, graduating from Pearl River Community College as a Licensed Practical Nurse in 2007. She deeply valued her nursing career and desire to care for others. She retired from Ellisville State School in 2016.

In retirement, Judy enjoyed family time, antique shopping, gardening, and attending services at 40th Avenue Church of God, where she was dearly loved by her church family.

She is survived by her devoted husband of 48 years, Alan Brinkman; three daughters, Mary Beth Brinkman (Derek) of Nashville, Tennessee, Anne Brinkman (Miles) of Houston, Texas, and Kathryn Brinkman (Wen-Yang) of Cincinnati, Ohio; and one grandson, Dante Chiang, of Cincinnati, Ohio.

She also leaves behind three sisters, Barbara Shoup of Cypress, Texas; Patricia Sanders (Jim) of Huntingdon, Tennessee; Cynthia Gonzales (Nick) of Clarksville, Tennessee; and two brothers, Michael Sanders (Jane) of Spring, Texas, and Bill Sanders (Jamie) of Clarksburg, Tennessee; and many beloved nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and nephews.