Alice Virginia Brinkley Brown was born Sept. 11, 1925 . She was born in Portsmouth, Va - the 3rd child born to Rev John H. & Caldonia Brinkley. She moved to Cape Charles as a young girl of 6 years old when her father was called to minister at First Baptist Church. She attended the Cape Charles Colored School, Northampton County High School and later graduated from Virginia Union University with a bachelors degree in Religious Studies.

She returned to the Eastern Shore and began her teaching career in 1948 at the Eastville school, teaching 4th & 5th grade. She taught at various schools in Northampton County. In 1957 she found the time to marry her soulmate John Edward Brown. In 1959 (the year I was born) she started teaching at Cape Charles Elementary.

In 1962 (the year Tess was born) she moved to Northampton County High School. She stayed there through integration and a name change to Northampton Middle School until retiring in 1987. She and a few friends also formed Club Chataqua, a social club with the purpose of helpng the youth of the shore succed in life.

My mother was always very involved with First Baptist Church. She was baptized there in 1935 by Rev. Bellmond. She joined the senior choir in 1950. She became the financial secretary in 1957 and served in that position until 2012 (55 Years).

Alice was also concerned with our town and way of life. She started her public service on the Cape Charles planning commision in 1976, then served on the town council, and in 1992 she was elected to become the first female and the first African-American to be mayor of Cape Charles. She served two terms and did numerous things to help make Cape Charles a better place to live; and, she often had to do it amidst strong opposition. She worked with Brown & Root to develop the Sustainable Technologies Eco-industrial park. She pushed for the utilization of the Cape Charles school as a town park. And she worked to improve the harbor while working with the corps of engineers on beach saving activities. She also helped implement a transportation system to help people commute up and down the shore. During all of these endeavors she always had time for her family.

When my aunt and uncles became sick, she was there to help. After my Father passed in 2000, she took in my cousin Buddy and helped give his last years some stability. Then Tess became sick and she was there for her tiredlessly.

Alice left us early in the morning of Aug.1, 2016. She leaves behind her daughter Terri & son-in-law Michael.