Maxine Fern Counts, 90, of Steelville, MO passed away Saturday, February 20, 2010 at Cuba Manor. She was born June 9, 1919 in Licking, MO to Otto and Lucy (Payne) Pewitt. She married Garnell Brinkley and to this union three children were born. He preceded her in death in 1971. Later she married Freeman Counts who preceded her in death in 1980. Maxine was a member of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints of Ellington, MO and was a past member of the Eastern Star in Ellington, MO. In her spare time, she loved to oil paint landscapes in which her family will cherish her memory and her talent. She will be sadly missed by her sons, Donald Brinkley and wife Barbara and Gene Brinkley and wife Sandra all of Steelville; daughter-in-law, Donna Brinkley of St. Louis, MO; one brother, Bill Pewitt and wife Wilma of Lonedell, MO; two sisters, Pat Phillips and husband Bob of Springfield, MO and Delores Girard and husband Mel of St. Louis, MO; nine grandchildren; twenty-two great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; husbands, Garnell and Freeman; one son, Gary Brinkley; and one grandson, Donald Brinkley. Visitation was from 9:00 a.m. until service time on Wednesday, February 24, 2010 at the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home in Steelville, MO. Funeral services were held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, February 24, 2010 at the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home in Steelville, MO with Elder Miriam Counts officiating. Special music of ""He Touched Me" was sang and played by Elder Miriam Counts. Other music played was "Amazing Grace." Committal prayer and burial were in the Hutchinson Cemetery in Licking, MO. Honored to be casket bearers were Steve Marshall, D.J. Ransom, Darren Brinkley, Don Brinkley, Tom Brinkley and Tim Brinkley. The Family was served by the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home of Steelville, MO.