The daughter of Effie Mae Wood and Nano William Lee, Mrs. Brinson

was born on Feb. 10, 1930, in Elliott, Ark. She graduated from Huttig High School and then earned a bachelor of education at Southern State University (now Southern Arkansas University) in Magnolia.

She married Harold Thomas Brinson on Dec. 29, 1951, in Huttig, and they moved to Camp LeJeune, N.C., where he began his career in the Marines. They soon moved to Austin, Texas, where they started a family. Then they moved to Levelland and to Abilene, where they lived more than 18 years.

Mrs. Brinson spent the majority of her life caring for her family and volunteering. She began teaching elementary school in Austin while her husband was earning his doctorate in education at the University of Texas. She also taught kindergarten in Hawley, Texas for some years to help pay for her children’s college educations. For 15 years, she stood alongside her husband while he served as president of Southern Arkansas University. Mrs. Brinson was a gracious president’s wife and hostess for the many parties, meetings, and fundraisers at the University. The couple moved to Hot Springs Village in 2000, after his retirement, where they welcomed friends, family, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Mrs. Brinson was a member of Baptist churches all of her life, most recently attending Balboa Baptist Church in Hot Springs Village. She also was active for many years in the Magnolia PEO Club.

Mrs. Brinson was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Harold Thomas Brinson, who passed away in 2018; sister, Oleta Mae Allen; and her parents. She is survived by her children, Kathryn Ann Martin of Hot Springs, Max Harold Brinson and his wife, Johanna, of Dingmans Ferry, Penn., and Paul Thomas Brinson and his wife, Peggy, of Flower Mound, Texas; her grandchildren, Andrew Thomas Martin of New York City, Benjamin Luke Martin, and his wife, Allie, of Hot Springs, Lovisa Lundquist Brinson of Pittsburgh, Penn., and Stephen Paul Brinson of Flower Mound, Texas; two great-grandchildren: Kavion Eli Johnson and Ryker Jax Martin of Hot Springs; her brother, Billy Donald Lee and his wife, Glenda, of Granbury, Texas; and her younger sister, Carolyn Ann Hughes and her husband, Billy Ray of Wake Village, Texas; and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be 10 a.m. Monday, Jan. 3, at Balboa Baptist Church, Hot Springs Village, followed by the funeral service at 11.

In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association of Arkansas, Southern Arkansas University or Balboa Baptist Church.

Online condolences at: www.caruth-hale.com.