David and Christine Bristowe

David and Christine Bristowe, longtime residents of Jacksonville, Florida went home to be with the Lord on Friday, January 6, 2023 following a car accident. They were 79 and 77 years old. After nearly 60 years of marriage, they entered heaven together and are in the presence of the Lord. While the family mourns at their loss, the certainty of David and Christine’s eternal salvation brings them great comfort, peace, and joy.

David and Christine both grew up in Gainesville, Florida where they were childhood friends and high school sweethearts. They married after high school and settled in Jacksonville, Florida in 1970 where they raised their three children. They were members of First Baptist Church of Jacksonville for 53 years. Apart from their family, it was their greatest joy to serve the Lord in their church. They both loved people and made friends everywhere they went.

David was born November 14, 1943 to S.D. and Ruby Bristowe of Gainesville. He graduated from Gainesville High School and earned a Bachelors in Business from the University of Florida. Before entering the business world, David served in the U.S. Army earning the rank of Sergeant. He retired from New York Life in 2011 after a long career in the insurance business. He faithfully served his church as a Sunday school teacher, deacon, chairman of deacons, trustee and chairman of the trustees. His greatest joys in life were serving the Lord, being with his family, his weekly golf game with his friends and the Florida Gators.

Christine was born January 23, 1945 to Travis and Mildred Loften of Gainesville. She graduated from P.K.Yonge. She treasured being a homemaker and creating a loving home, and being available full time for her husband, children, and grandchildren. Christine served as a choir member and children’s choir teacher for over fifty years. She loved teaching young children hymns about Jesus, her daily talks with her best friend and sister, Janis, sewing and smocking. Her greatest joy was loving and spending time with her children and grandchildren and pointing them to Jesus. She was known for her sweet quiet voice and she was hardworking, kind and giving. Truly an example of a meek and quiet spirit.

David and Christine are survived by their three children: Randy (Marolyn) Bristowe, Jan (Rodney) Beauchamp, Tiffany (Todd) Floyd; their twelve grandchildren: Matthew Bristowe, David Bristowe, Andrew Bristowe, Seth Bristowe, Daniel (Terri) Beauchamp, Jacob (Megan) Beauchamp, Benjamin (Evelyn) Beauchamp, Paul (Emily) Beauchamp, Joel Beauchamp, Caleb Floyd, Elisabeth Floyd, Rebekah Kate Floyd; their six great-grandchildren: Hannah, Seth, Abby, Lucy, Jane, Leah; David’s sister, Gerri (John) Russell, Christine’s sisters: Louise Maury and Janis (Emery) Bishop.

A celebration of life service for David and Christine will be held at 11:30 am on Friday, January 13 at First Baptist Church, in the Lindsay Memorial Auditorium, 125 West Ashley Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202. The family will receive guests beginning at 10:00 a.m. There will be a graveside service at 2:30 p.m. at Oaklawn Cemetery, 4801 San Jose Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32207.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to First Baptist Church Jacksonville, 125 West Ashley St, Jacksonville, FL 32202 or give online at fbcjax.com/give.