Maria "Chayo" Rosario Brinkley

Maria "Chayo" Del Rosario Brinkley, 77, of Lee’s Summit, Missouri, passed away peacefully in her home on Sunday, June 8, 2025. Maria was born on January 31, 1948, in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico to Teresa Velasquez Valasco and Alberto Gonzalez Ceballos. In her early years, Maria was known for taking care of her little brothers and she worked as a seamstress in Guadalajara until 1969 when, at the age of 21, she met Oscar Hiram Brinkley through the personal ads section of a local newspaper. Oscar, who served as an aviation mechanic in the United States Air Force during World War II, exchanged letters and photos with Maria before they eventually decided to meet and marry.

Maria immigrated to the United States after their marriage, becoming a naturalized U.S. citizen in 1987, and having two children Rocio Maritza Brinkley and Kevin Alexander Brinkley.  Even after their divorce, Maria loved Oscar until the day he died. In the mid 1980s she met Roberto Espada and she also had 2 children with him, Roger Jonathan and Joshua Andrew.  She lived most of her life in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, caring for her children and working as a seamstress in Poplar Bluff multiple jobs. She did seamstress work for Clyde Reed Men’s Store. Maria often enjoyed sewing and loved to cook Mexican food. The unwavering love she held for her children and family, her kindness and generous spirit will live on in the hearts and memories of all those she touched.

She is preceded in death by her father Alberto Gonzalez Ceballos, her little brother Tomas Arturo, and infant brother. 

Maria is survived by daughter Rocio Maritza Brinkley, and her sons Kevin Alexander Brinkley, Roger Jonathan Brinkley and Joshua Andrew Brinkley, grandchildren Katelyn Christina Brinkley and Salem Elizabeth Markham and her beloved lapdog Maggy. 

There will be a visitation from 4-5pm Friday, June 20,2025, at Fowler-Sullivan Funeral Home 701 Vine St. Poplar Bluff, MO.  There will then be a short service beginning at 5pm.  Services will then conclude.

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