Ida Lee (Wiles) Brinkley

Ida Lee Wiles Brinkley, 91, a resident of Davidson County, went home to be with the Lord on Thursday morning, October 9, 2025, at her home.  She was born in Randolph County, North Carolina, on June 10, 1934, to the late John Lee Wiles and Effie Elizabeth Spivey.  Ida was a graduate of High Point College and was an educator for over 60 years, teaching full time and as a substitute teacher in High Point, Thomasville, Randolph and Davidson County school systems.  She was a member of the NCAE/NEA (High Point Chapter), NCAE President, member of Retired School Teacher’s Association, Retired Governmental Employees Association, Captain in Davidson County’s Composite Squadron of Civil Air Patrol and a five-year volunteer at Community General Hospital. 

Ida was a faithful member of First Baptist Church in Thomasville since 1960 where she served in many roles, such as an Interpreter to the Deaf for 16 years, Deaf WMU and Deaf Sunday School, Personal Committee, Youth Choir Director, Deaf Ministry Coordinator and a representative of region 5 at the Baptist State Convention. 

Ida was a member of Thomasville Women’s Club, Thomasville Business and Professional Women’s Organization, Past President and State District Director.  She was 1983 Woman of the Year, the BPW Northern Area VP, on the BPW Board of Directors, State Nominating Committee Charman and involved in the planning committee for the BPW state convention. She was also Ms. Senior Davidson County, Ms. Senior South Carolina, and Ms. Senior America.

She enjoyed knitting, vacationing with her family, cooking, and reading.  In addition to her hobbies, she worked with Dalton Myers Oil Company and was also a manager of T. Austin Finch Auditorium in Thomasville.

On June 20, 1958, Ida married Rev. Van Ellis Brinkley and they enjoyed 59 years as husband and wife, before his passing in 2017.  In addition to her parents and her husband, Ida is preceded in death by her sister, Elizabeth Marie Wiles Saunders; and her niece, Maureen Saunders Peake. Ida is survived by her daughter, Vanjie Shaver and husband Charles of Morganton; one grand-daughter, Gabriana Taveniere and husband Hunter; three great-grandchildren, Preston, Colt, and Grayson; her nephew, Timothy Greene and wife Tandy of Asheboro; her kitty cat, Princess.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, October 11, 2025, at 1:00 PM at J.C. Green and Sons Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Mike Floyd, Rev. Stephen Owen, and Rev. Mark Hall officiating.  Burial will follow at Holly Hill Memorial Park Cemetery in Thomasville.  The family will greet friends beginning at 12:00 Noon prior to the service at the funeral home.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to First Baptist Church of Thomasville, 8 Cramer Street, Thomasville, NC 27360.

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