Gay Brinkley Miriello, 86, of Raleigh, NC, passed away peacefully at Transitions LifeCare on August 8, 2026. 

Gay grew up in Davidson County and was a graduate of Ledford High School, class of 1958. She was valedictorian, student body president, a cheerleader, a basketball player, and was voted Miss Ledford. She was not only intelligent and determined, she was a real beauty. Gay and her sister, Judy, were known as “The Brinkley Sisters” at Carolina Beach, where they caught the eye of every lifeguard and even photographers. She won pageants and did local modeling. She graduated from East Carolina University with a degree in education and taught school in Florida and North Carolina. She was a dedicated teacher and retired from the Wake County Public School System in 1996.

She was a devoted daughter and sister, a beloved aunt, cousin, and a steadfast friend to many. Gay generously and consistently supported many charities, including Hospice of Wake County (Transitions LifeCare), ALS, American Heart and Alzheimer’s associations, Meals on Wheels, SPCA, Make-A-Wish, and the American Cancer Society. Her memory will be cherished by family, friends, students, and her Brentwood School family.

Gay is survived by her niece, Niki Knowles, of Wilmington; and a circle of friends and extended family members. She was preceded in death by her parents, Holland Lee and Ruby Smith Brinkley; and her sister, Judy Brinkley Knowles, of Fayetteville.

At the request of the deceased, services will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Transitions LifeCare or any of the charities close to Gay's heart.

Online condolences may be sent to www.jerniganwarren.com

Services entrusted to Jernigan-Warren Funeral Home, 545 Ramsey St., Fayetteville, NC 28301