Esther Bristow

Esther A. Bristow, 100, of Petersburg VA died on June 28, 2021. Born the daughter of the late Mike and Mary Albert of Canton, Ohio she was predeceased by her 12 siblings. Esther left Canton, Ohio at the age of 18 to join the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corp and later the Women’s Army Corp. During the Second World War, she served at the Pentagon in the offices of General Dwight Eisenhower and General Omar Bradley. It was in the DC area where she met the love of her life, Richard Allen (Dick) Bristow, whom she married in 1949. They settled in Petersburg, VA where they raised three sons and one daughter. Dick died in 1985 shortly after moving to Emerald Isle, NC. She spent the next eighteen years in Emerald Isle where she made many close friends and was an active member in St Peter’s-By-The-Sea Episcopal Church in Swansboro, NC. In 2003 she moved back to the Petersburg area and rejoined many old friends and once again, became active in Christ and Grace Episcopal Church. The dedication of her time to her church life was very important to her for it’s in that church life where very many lasting friendships were made. She lived independently in her Kennon Pointe home until 2013 when she decided to move into the Petersburg Home for Ladies (PHL).
Esther loved to cook and entertain. Very few invitations were ever declined to attend a party hosted by Dick and “Big E” Bristow. She was an avid reader, bridge player and loved to write poetry. It was always clear that her number one priority was the well-being of her family.
Big E is survived by three sons, Richard Allen Bristow, Jr. (Karen) of Glen Allen VA, Michael Emsley Bristow (Barbara) of Prince George, VA, Patrick Collier Bristow (Jacalyn) of Wilmington NC and one daughter, Mary Elizabeth Bristow of Colonial Heights VA. Sadly, she was predeceased by one grandson, Kevin Collier Bristow of Wilmington NC and is survived by three grandsons, Michael E (Lee) Bristow (Emily) of Dinwiddie VA, William Allen Bristow of Richmond, VA and James Scott Bristow of Blacksburg VA. and one granddaughter, Alexandra Dare Cole of Richmond VA. two great-grandsons, Acre and Peregrine both of Dinwiddie VA.
The family will receive friends at the J.T. Morriss & Funeral Home at 103 South Adams Street, Petersburg, VA on Thursday, July 1st, 2021 from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM. Wearing a mask is optional at the individual’s discretion. A private interment will be held at Blandford Cemetery.
We are grateful for the loving care provided by the administration and staff at the Petersburg Home for Ladies during her stay there. The family also acknowledges with gratitude the caring staff of At Home Care and Hospice-Tri Cities.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to the Petersburg Home For Ladies Fellowship Fund, 311 South Jefferson Street, Petersburg, VA 23803. Condolences may be registered at www.jtmorriss.com .