Lorena Brinson was a woman of strength, love, and nurturing spirit. She was born on September 10, 1961, in Quitman, Georgia, to Edith and Nathaniel Brinson Sr.
In 1980, Lorena was a proud graduate from Brooks County High School. In the early 1990s, she dedicated her life to the Church of Christ. At the ripe age of 21, Lorena moved to New Jersey, where she devoted 30 years of her career to Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey. After retiring, she returned to Valdosta, Georgia.
Lorena loved dancing, traveling, taking long drives, and spending time with her family and friends. She was a phenomenal mother to her three children: Sharetta, Derrick, and Cherise. Lorena was a ray of sunshine who brought positivity, love, and joy into the lives of everyone she encountered.
Lorena was preceded in death by her parents, Edith and Nathaniel Brinson Sr.; her oldest daughter, Sharetta Smith; her brothers, Frank Brinson, Leon Brinson, Arthur Brinson, and Dennis Brinson; and her sisters, Rosa Waters and Linda Sutton. Her nephew Camari Brown.
She leaves to cherish her precious memories her two children, Derrick Smith of Somerset, New Jersey, and Cherise Richards of Valdosta, Georgia; her siblings, Roy Brinson (Toni) of Hinesville, Georgia, Nathaniel Brinson Jr., and Dorothy Brinson (Greg) of Valdosta, Georgia; two special nephews, Demetrius Brinson and Randall Waters; a special niece, Patreace Brinson; her goddaughter, Amani Brinson; her sisters, Princess Bartley, Elizabeth Faniel, and Martha Shivers; her best friends, Pam Harell, Gail Golden, and Milton Richards; her special cousins, Cora, Hazel, Willie, and Arnerine; and also a very close friend Mary Edwards and a host of other loving family members and friends.
Lorena's love, kindness, and beautiful spirit will forever live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved her. She will be deeply missed but never forgotten.

Funeral services for Ms. Lorena Brinson will be held on Saturday, October 17, 2026 at 2:00 P.M. at Beulah Missionary Baptist Church in Quitman, Georgia (1008 South MLK Drive, Quitman, Georgia, 31643). Livestream will be available.

Visitation will be held on Friday, October 16, 2026 from 1:00 P.M. - 7:00 P.M. at the Stevens-McGhee Funeral Home.