With trumpets blowing and symbols crashing, Patricia Brinkley Harris, 88, originally of Kinston, NC and formerly of Shelby, NC entered heaven on Monday May 22, 2023. She passed at her home in Mt. Pleasant, SC surrounded by her loving family. We're sure she made quite an entrance as she was not one to enter a room quietly.

She was greeted by her mom and dad (Alma and Kenneth Brinkley), her sister (Liliian Collins), brother (Kenneth Brinkley), son (Chan) and the love of her life for 65 years, husband Bernard. No doubt her loving savior, Jesus, himself was there to welcome her into His loving arms. Heaven will never be the same.

Those that will miss her the most are her surviving son Craig and daughter-in-law Raffia, daughter Michelle and son-in-law Mike along with her grandchildren Blakely and husband Justin, Megan, Craig Jr and wife Hayley. Her great grands; Liam, Finn and Nora Hughes and Maisy and Foster Harris will carry her memory forever. She also had numerous cousins, aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews that will miss her terribly. She had a big tribe and loved them with all her heart. It would be an oversight not to mention the "Shelby girls" that mom so loved hosting at Swansboro.

Mom (Pat, Patricia, Tricia, Aunt Pat, Nana, Miss Pat, "Trouble") was always the bright light that entered a room and brought it to life with her enthusiasm and joy for life. There was no one she met whose life she didn't touch. There were also those she didn't meet who were affected by her generosity as well. Her love knew no boundaries. She was everything we should all strive to be and has left us with some big shoes to fill. She was the epitome of grace, love, charm, spunk, love of God and Country and family first. She will leave a hole in our hearts that can never be filled but her love and joy will live in us forever.

A very special thank you to the residents and staff of Sandpiper Independent Living in Mt Pleasant SC. You all made her last few years some of her best as she danced her way into everyone's hearts at happy hours and socials and became a weekly bingo player. She was big on participation and didn't rest until she made sure everyone in the room was having as much fun as she was. Which was a tall order. Even in a wheelchair, you couldn't escape her invitation to dance. No one was safe. Her little light shone wherever she went for sure.

Her legacy is that of joy, happiness and love for each other. In her honor, let's pass it on.

A celebration of her extraordinary life will be held in the chapel of Cecil M. Burton Funeral Home & Crematory, Saturday, May 27, 2023 at 11am. The family will receive friends an hour prior to the service.

Online condolences may be made at www.cecilmburtonfuneralhome.com

Cecil M. Burton Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the family.