Clara Gertrude Bristow

Clara G. Bristow passed away January 3, 2024 in her daughter’s home in Tecumseh, OK. Clara was born February 16, 1942 in her parent’s log cabin in Bergman, Arkansas to Pearl K. and Hazel Whiteside. Clara is the youngest of nine children. Clara grew up around Bergman, Arkansas and the Harrah - Mcloud, Oklahoma area.

Clara met the love of her life Paul F. Bristow in Mcloud, Oklahoma and married him three weeks later on February 21, 1958 in Seminole, Oklahoma. Clara and Paul were married for more than sixty two years, until the time Paul passed away on November 9, 2020.

Clara and Paul lived most of their married life in the Shawnee, Oklahoma area. Clara has been a member of the South Rock Creek Independent Church of God for more than fifty years. Clara raised her first four children then started working at United Foam Industries, went on to clean homes of various prominent people in the Shawnee area. Just months before their fourth child turned 18, Clara and Paul had their fifth

child. A couple of years later they were given guardianship of their two oldest grandchildren. After they were all raised, Clara went to work for Shawnee Public Schools as a monitor on one of the Special Needs Buses.

Clara is preceded in death by her husband, her parents, two brothers, four sisters, one half brother and one half sister.

Clara is survived by five children: Terry F. Bristow and wife Diana of Shawnee, Donna Warren of Shawnee, Kenneth D. Bristow and wife Linda of Shawnee, Tammy Gentry and Husband Eldon (Trent) of Tecumseh and Jason Bristow and wife Melanie of Shawnee. Fifteen grandchildren, twenty two great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren. Many nieces and nephews, friends and

church brothers and sisters.

The family would like to thank the staff of Cohesive Healthcare and Hospice for their kindness and attention while caring for Clara.

A visitation for Clara will be held Sunday, January 7, 2024 from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM at Resthaven Funeral Home, 44909 Highway 3, Shawnee, OK 74801. A funeral service will occur Monday, January 8, 2024 at 10:00 AM at the Resthaven Funeral Home Chapel, a committal service will follow the funeral service at 12:30 PM at Tecumseh Cemetery, 18800 S Gordon Cooper Dr, Shawnee, OK 74801.