Obituary of Sarahlyn Bristow

Sarahlyn L. Bristow was born in Lexington, North Carolina, to Henry and Donnie Mae Bristow on May 23, 1943. She was the third of four children. Her siblings were: Henrietta Gathers, Charles Henry Bristow, and Anthony Bristow.

Sarahlyn grew up in Winston Salem, North Carolina, where she spent time with her grandmother, Ida Williams and was taken to church at an early age learning about Jesus, the Holy Spirit, healing and prayer. Sarahlyn relocated to New York City in 1964 and confessed to Christ at St Paul’s Baptist Church in Brooklyn, New York. In 1984, she relocated to Phoenix, Arizona, and became a member of First Institutional Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor Warren H. Stewart, Sr.

Sarahlyn was a faithful, loving, amazing and outstanding mother to her three children, Senta, Sheri, and Sybil whom she always made sure had it all.

Sarahlyn began her educational journey by attending Atkins High School in Winston Salem and continued matriculating at various institutions of higher learning such as Pace University of New York, New York, and Grand Canyon University in Arizona. She received a Master of Divinity Degree from the American Baptist Seminary of the West, Berkeley, California in 1997 and a Doctor of Ministry Degree from Phoenix Seminary.

Her professional experience included working as a secretary, in administration for SRP and Del Webb, as a chaplain with the Maricopa County (Arizona) Sheriff’s Department and as a Minister of Pastoral Counseling for First Institutional Baptist Church.

As a member of First Institutional Baptist Church, she served with the Clergy Caucus, as a Sunday School Teacher, and was a New Members Ministry representative. She was a missionary to South Africa, was active in human rights, was deliberate about street witnessing, and was active with the Broadway House. She was licensed to preach by First Institutional Baptist Church in 1986, and ordained by the Church of the Good Shepherd (Baptist) in Oakland, California in 1997. She served as the Founding Senior Pastor of We Are One Church in Phoenix. Sarahlyn was always willing to assist at community events and with helping all people.

Her hobbies and interests included art, painting, traveling, board games, playing cards, music, dancing, singing, concerts, live music, theater, movies and documentaries.

Family who preceded her are: Donnie Mae Bristow, Henry Bristow, Charles H. Bristow and Anthony T. Bristow.

Those left to cherish her memories are: Henrietta Gathers (William), Senta Bristow, Sheri Armstrong-Hardy (Cedric), Sybil Armstrong, Anthoinette Wood, Jamie Bristow, Ella Bristow, Priscilla Minor, Kay Diggs and a host of great nieces and nephews. Grandchildren are: Stephanie Armstrong, (Edward Rogers), Stavonne Sanders, Shaun Armstrong, Steven Roberts, Sharmanique Wilson, La’Vante Wilson, (Dalana Scott), Shaiann Hardy, Ramello Wilson, and Kiara Alexandrea (Keishon). Great Grandchildren: Shamar, Sarion, Samari, Star, Scir, Karrieon, Kelsey, Josiah, Kason, Jahlill, Jru, Jre, Jamos, Keishon Jr., Keighlan, and Lakeiaii.