Janice Marie Bristow

Janice Marie Bristow, 85, of Valdosta, died Friday, July 21, 2023, after a battle with dementia. She was born June 12, 1938, in Harvey, IL, to the late Harry and Marie Anderson and had lived in Valdosta for many years. She was preceded in death by her husband, James Marvin Bristow, in 2006. Survivors include one daughter, Stacey (and Jay) Harris of Waleska, GA, one son, Steven Bristow of Valdosta, GA, two grandchildren, Luc (and Anna) Harris of Dallas, GA, and Brie Harris of Black Mountain, NC, one brother-in-law, Belsur Eugene Bristow, and many loving cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Mrs. Bristow grew up in Markham, IL, a suburb of Chicago, and attended The University of Illinois. Shortly after marrying her high school sweetheart, Jim, the couple moved south to Georgia where they spent the rest of their lives. Over the years, her employers included Simoniz, the University of Illinois Zoology Department, Lockheed Corporation, Griffin Corporation, Greenleaf Center, Public Health Home Health, and Rainwater Conference Center where she worked into her seventies. Her talents included drawing, oil painting, floral arranging, interior decorating, loom knitting, and she could take shorthand and type amazingly fast and accurately. A huge sports fan, Mrs. Bristow grew up attending Chicago White Sox games with her father and rooted for the Atlanta Braves with her family. She held Valdosta Wildcat football season tickets for 45 years and often participated in Fantasy Football leagues and March Madness brackets with her son and grandson, often winning.
Her deep Christian faith was obvious to all who knew Mrs. Bristow. Since joining Messiah Lutheran Church in 1978, she served in many capacities including the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, Church Council, Altar Guild, Church Choir, Sunday School Teacher, and Bible Study Leader. She was a loyal and long-time member of the LWML Quilts for Comfort group. An avid volunteer, Mrs. Bristow served on the boards of Hospice of South Georgia and The Haven, volunteered with the Valdosta-Lowndes Chamber of Commerce and Basset Hound Rescue of Georgia. She loved loom knitting and donated many knitted caps to Shop with a Cop, Options Now, the Valdosta High School Marchin’ Cats Band Boosters, and any law enforcement officer she happened across.
Mrs. Bristow was devoted to her family and was always in attendance at any of her children’s and grandchildren’s functions volunteering as team mom, Brownie Troup Leader, and Valdosta High School Marchin’ Cat Band Booster and Chaperone. She most enjoyed helping her friends in need and was known for hospital visits, pet sitting, house sitting, preparing meals, and driving friends to church events and doctor’s appointments whenever needed.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at 3 p.m., Sunday, August 6, 2023, at Messiah Lutheran Church with Rev. Richard Lohmeyer officiating. The family requests that everyone wear a red item, Mrs. Bristow’s favorite color, in her honor. Visitation with the family will begin at 2 p.m. and a dessert reception will follow. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Lutheran Women’s Missionary League at Messiah Lutheran Church or via the upcoming PayPal link online at https://messiahlutheranvld.com designated as “Jan Bristow” or “Quilts for Comfort”.
The Bristow family is being served by the caring and professional staff of Music Funeral Services of Valdosta.