Mr. Lonnie "Lendy" Bristol was born to Lucious, Sr. and Mille McCloud Bristol in Jasper, Florida on February 18, 1948.  He was fondly called "Lendy Cake" and later "Lendy".  With two older sisters and three older brothers, he was child 6 and boy #4. He learned how to work hard early and handle himself.  Like so many others in the family. He was an avid athlete and represented J.R. E. Lee High School  well, graduating with the Class of 1966 .  What a man, what a man, what a man, what a mighty good man .  After graduation he spent some time in college before enlisting in the United States Army.  He served his country with valor in the Vietnam War being wounded and returning home with a Purple Heart.  He earned several medals and took great pride in his Silver Star.

After his time in the military, Lonnie moved to Philadelphia, PA where he enjoyed a very lucrative career with the United States Postal Service.  He spent decades there before retirement.  After this point in his life, there was much reflection.  He was coming back and forth to Jasper due to his mother's illness and finally made the decision to move home.  Lonnie packed up and moved to Jasper, never looking back.  He enjoyed being back in Jasper on Bristol Ave. with his mother.  He took on the job as caretaker with love and patience.  There was no job too big or small and he took pride in doing everything he could while she lived. What a man, what a man, what a man, what a mighty good man.

He accepted Christ at an early age under the leadership of his grandfather, Rev. Sumpter Bristol at Dry Branch Missionary Baptist Church.  Later he would serve faithfully in Willingboro, New Jersey as deacon.  Upon moving back to Jasper, he joined Greater Poplar Springs Baptist Church under Rev. Billy Simon and served faithfully until his health failed.

Being the business minded person, he was, Lonnie spent lots of time driving around Hamilton County looking, listening and learning before deciding what comes next.  The next phase would be the establishment of Lendy's, the neighborhood sandwich shop.  He and wife Betty started as the first cooks and it was busy all the time.  Just the aroma of the food would draw one to Lendy's.  Mr. Lonnie was a big man and his presence demanded attention and respect.  He ran his business the right way and he did not play.  If you were going to hang around, you were going to be respectful and stay out of the way of the customers.  If something was not right with your order, Mr. Lonnie would fix it. What a man, what a man, what a man, what a mighty good man.

Lendy's afforded job opportunities to many in the neighborhood who wanted to work.  Mr. Lonnie ran his business with expertise and took care of neighborhood watch.  He would sit in his chair and he had a visual of the entire block.  If you did not want Mr. Lonnie to see it, you better not let it happen.  Mr. Lonnie had no issue taking are of problems.  He simply hit them head on. It was his caring attitude and no-nonsense approach that made him well respected.  He cared so much about the community children that he set up Wi-Fi and posted the pass word so everyone could have free access.  Many times, people say on that porch all night just for the Wi-Fi.  He had notissues feeding the hungry for he understood everyone falls on hard times. What a man, what a man, what a man, what a mighty good man.

Family was everything to him and in the last few years, his favorite pastime was spending time with his sister, Willeen.  Be it Jasper or St. Pete, he looked forward to their times and would wait in high anticipation for them.  He enjoyed laughs and sharing memories with his brothers and delegating jobs to the baby of the bunch, Gerald, who he fondly called Jerry.

Can't you just hear him saying his favorites, "Well it don't hurt to do the right thing; we will be alright; and yea buddy".  We will miss his sayings, his wit, that sense of humor and all of the many conversations in the shop.

On Saturday, November 13, 2021, what a man, what a man, what a man, what a mighty good man slept away. He fought a good fight and he has finished the course.

His parents, siblings: Pearl Bristol Wright, Lucious Bristol, Jr., Chester Bristol and Ralph Bristol and son, Lonnie Tyrone Bristol preceded him in death.

Cherishing his memory always is his loving, caring and dedicated wife: Betty Goodwin Bristol; Affectionate Children:  Lois Kidd of New Jersey, Kenya Bristol, LaShawn and Terrance Clanton of Philadelphia PA, Millie Bristol of New Jersey, Jessica Bristol of Jasper FL and Eric (Tanisha) Bristol of Jasper FL; Precious grandchildren and great grandchildren; Supportive siblings:  Willeen Bristol Kelly of St. Pete, Johnny Ray (Alma) Bristol, Charles (Essie) Bristol, Alphonso (Cynthia) Bristol of Gainesville, and Gerald (Jessie) Bristol;  In-laws: Corine Bristol, Esther Bristol, Linda Johnson, Edward Goodwin, Gale Johnson, Pernell (Tyre) Johnson;  Aunt:  Mary Bristol Cummings;  Uncle:  Sumpter B. Bristol; a host of amazing nephews, nieces, cousins and sorrowing friends.