Hermelinda Bristow

Raymondville/San Antonio

Hermelinda “Linda” Garza Bristow, born March 31, 1937 in Harlingen, TX, went to her eternal rest, in the arms of her Lord and Savior, on Thursday, April 14, 2022 at the age of 85 in San Antonio, TX.  She never met a stranger, and to many she was known as “Grandma”, because she brought them so much joy.  Her granddaughters, Hannah, Iliana, and Ariana, were the apple of her eye and brought her much delight. She shared her wonderful Mexican cooking and recipes with all who knew her.  We will miss her laughter, sense of humor and kindness.  

She is survived by her husband of 45 years, Ora Glenn Bristow, and beloved daughter, Abigail Bristow (Dan Hernandez) and nephew Ricardo Garza (Leticia). She is also survived by Ramiro Garza (Suzie), Celia Taméz (Alberto), Eduvina Montez (Daniel), and Magdalena Alonzo.  She is also survived by her three granddaughters, Hannah, Iliana and Ariana Hernandez, 3 grandsons, one great grandson and many nieces and nephews.   

Her wonderful spirit and legacy will live on with the hundreds of people she helped in her sermons and testimonies. Whether it was visiting prisons, doing missionary work, pastoring a church for 40+ years, or talking to her neighbors during her daily walks, she always shared her faith with anyone who needed it. She had a natural talent to make friends with everyone, and she passed that skill to her daughter. 

From her stories about being a migrant worker, to her letting her granddaughters eat ice cream instead of dinner, there was never a dull moment. Those memories will always remain and stay with our family (along with her tortilla recipe). 

As a young lady, she worked at many jobs, such as a migrant farmer and with Raymondville ISD cafeteria services, but most importantly, she started her preaching in 1968. She met Glenn at a church convention in Dallas, Texas, in 1976.  Her devotion to her Christian faith led her to start a Non-denominational Christian ministry and church in 1970, Tabernáculo de Milagros, where her husband Glenn joined her as a co-pastor after 13 years in the ministry.  She had her daughter, Abigail, late in life and always remained close to her. Her love of her daughter and her granddaughters led Linda and Glenn to move from Raymondville to Austin and eventually San Antonio, where she went to be with the Lord. 

Visitation will be held at Good Shepherd Funeral Home in Raymondville on Sunday, April 17, 2022 from 5:00PM until 9:00PM with a prayer service at 7:00PM. Funeral Service will be held at the funeral home on Monday April 18, 2022 at 10:00AM with interment to follow at Raymondville Memorial Park Cemetery.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the caring hands of Good Shepherd Funeral Home of Raymondville, Texas.

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