Samuel Lewis "Sam" Bristow Jr., 96, of Sheffield, Ala., died Thursday.

Mr. Bristow was born in Pittsburgh, but was raised in Butler.

Sam attended First United Methodist Church of Sheffield, Ala.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Samuel Lewis and Elizabeth Esler Bristow; sisters, Jeanne Bristow and Violet Bristow Weigle; and a brother, Jim Bristow.

Sam's legacy was that he loved people and had the ability to make people feel good. He never met a stranger. With his warmth and his friendly waves and hugs, Sam always brought a ray of sunshine into a room. Everyone loved Papa Sam.

Survivors include his wife of 33 years, Anita Gardner Bristow; a stepson, B.T. "Ben" Gardner Jr.; stepdaughters, Elaine Beard (Chuck), Jean Estes and Anita Thorn (Wayne); a niece, Dolly Bristow of Royal Oak, Mich.; a nephew, Lee Weigle, of Herndon, Va.; and a number of grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

<B>BRISTOW</B> — A family funeral service for Samuel Lewis "Sam" Bristow Jr., who died Thursday, June 18, 2009, was held Saturday at the <B>Morrison Funeral Home chapel</B>, Tuscumbia, Ala. Interment followed in Oakwood Cemetery, Sheffield, Ala. The Rev. Bill Bedsole and B.T. "Ben" Gardner Jr. officiated.Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church of Sheffield or a charity of choice.