AULANDER – Cleo Bradley Tinkham, age 91, died on January 25, 2016 at Vidant Roanoke Chowan Hospital of Ahoskie, NC.

Mrs. Tinkham was born in Hertford County on August 9, 1924, a daughter of the late Worley Edward and Irene Lassiter Bradley. Cleo was a faithful, active member of Aulander Baptist Church as long as her health permitted, serving in many capacities including past president of the WMU. She enjoyed gardening, working in her flowers, doing word search puzzles, and caring for her tropical fish, as well as enjoying recreational fishing.

Outside the home, Cleo enjoyed her time working at W. A. Tayloe’s, and in the school cafeteria. She was active in the community, being affectionately known to many as “The Aulander News Lady” having written the Aulander News Section for the Bertie Ledger Advance for many years.

Besides her parents, Cleo was preceded in death by her loving husband, Charlie Odie Tinkham, and a brother, Alva Bradley.

Left to cherish her memory are two sons, Willard “Woody” Tinkham and wife, Cindy of Aulander, NC, and Charlie Edward Tinkham and wife, Jeanette of Aulander, NC; her daughter, Linda T. Lane and husband, Horace of Durham, NC; two sisters, Betty Lou Bazemore of Aulander, NC, and Elaine Witt and husband, John of Aulander, NC; four grandsons, Jamie B. Tinkham, Jason W. Tinkham, Robert E. Tinkham, and Andrew A. Tinkham; three granddaughters, Kristy T. Holland, Teresa L. Crabtree, and Sharon L. Warren; and 13 great grandchildren.

The family received friends on Wednesday, January 27, 2016 at Garrett-Sykes Funeral Service, Ahoskie, NC.

A celebration of life service will be held on Thursday, January 28, 2016 at 11:00 am at the Garrett-Sykes Funeral Service – Ahoskie Chapel, with the Rev. Jimmy Blythe, and Rev. Jerry Johnson officiating. Burial will follow in Aulander Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Aulander Baptist Church, P.O. Box 220, Aulander, NC, 27805.

Garrett-Sykes Funeral Service – Ahoskie Chapel is handling the arrangements for the Tinkham family and online condolences can be directed to the family by visiting www.garrettsykesfs.com.