Sylvia Brister

Sylvia Jean Brister, 87, passed away peacefully on Friday, April 19 2024.

Sylvia was born on May 10, 1936 in Aquilla, AL to Agnew and Treobye Bradley. She graduated from Millry High School in Alabama and went on to attend Mississippi Southern University in Hattiesburg, MS. She was a cheerleader there and graduated with a degree in Home Economics. She later went on to obtain her teaching license. Sylvia was married to the late Thomas E. "Eddie" Brister for 56 years prior to his passing. Sylvia spent a brief period in Maine during her youth, before going on to become a school teacher at various schools along the Mississippi Gulf Coast, but primarily in the Pascagoula School System.

She later went on to assist her husband in the real estate appraisal business before finally retiring and maintaining a beautiful home in Pascagoula. During her youth, she lived on the family farm in Aquilla, where she learned to drive a car at the age of 12 and was cooking family meals by the time she was a teenager. She was an excellent seamstress who hand-made her own wedding dress, amongst many other fashionable outfits. During her lifetime, Sylvia was a member of numerous civic and social organizations, often performing in leadership roles. She enjoyed her book clubs, garden club, the Singing River Yacht Club, lunches with friends and entertaining. She was a trusted friend and mentor to countless people in the community, often inviting them over to enjoy her home and beautiful gardens, dispensing her wisdom, philosophy and sage advice along the way. Sylvia was an avid and passionate gardener, as she considered it "therapy" for her well-being. She was also a member of St. John's Episcopal Church in Pascagoula, MS. During her life, Sylvia and her husband traveled extensively throughout the United States, Europe and Japan. Both were passionate about knowledge and learning and grew from their experiences on the road and in the air. Sylvia also spent a great amount of time at the beloved "Bradley Camp" in Aquilla, the communal meeting place for her brothers and sister, sons, cousins, nieces and nephews, and close friends.

Sylvia was preceded in death by her parents, Walter Agnew Bradley, Sr. and Treobye Leigh Britton, and her step-mother Ola Dyess; her brother Dr. Brad Bradley, and her brother James "Barkley" Bradley.

She is survived by her sister Sue Carlisle of Aquila, AL; two sons, Thomas E. Brister, Jr. of Winston-Salem, NC, and Bruce Brister (Paula) of Pascagoula. She is also survived by her three precious grandchildren, Shelby Martin of Ocean Springs, MS, Sarah Brister of Birmingham, AL, and Sam Brister of Pascagoula, MS.

To so many, Sylvia was known as a kind and sweet lady, always organized and prepared for the day ahead. She enjoyed sharing her home with friends and family for lunches, dinners, receptions and numerous other social occasions. She was "the hostess with the mostest" as some would quip occasionally. She was a natural and talented cook in the kitchen, having prepared countless daily meals for her husband, children and others. Everybody always had a seat at the table.

The funeral service will take place on Saturday, April 27 at St. John's Episcopal Church in Pascagoula, MS. Visitation will begin at 2:00 pm, followed by a memorial service at 3:00 pm. A light meal will be available following the service in the Parish reception hall at St. John's. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Sylvia Brister, please visit our floral store.