Zachariah Malik Bunyon Bristow

Mr. Zachariah Malik Bunyon Bristow, age 19 of Sanford, NC transitioned to eternal rest on Thursday, July 25, 2024, at UNC Hospitals in Chapel Hill, NC.

The Obituary

Celebrating Zachariah Malik Bunyon Bristow

September 25, 2004 - July 25, 2024  

 Zachariah was born on September 25, 2004, and until age six was raised by his biological grandparents, Mr. Francis and Mrs. Mary Bunyon.  Zachariah loved his grandparents and never forgot their impact and contributions to his life.  He attended St. James AME Church and B.T. Bullock Elementary School in Sanford, NC. In 2011, when his grandparents’ health began to fail, Terry and Linda Bristow were blessed to become Zachariah’s foster and then adoptive parents. Zachariah became a vibrant member of the Bristow and Taylor Families, the Mt. Moriah A.M.E Zion Church Family and the Raleigh District of the A.M.E. Zion Church Family.  He was so handsome, innocent, and sweet. His magnetic personality made it hard for people not to like him. He was always charming, charismatic, confident, and cool!  Even at the age of six, he knew what he wanted and worked diligently and methodically to make it so!  He always wanted and worked hard to be on top.  Zachariah loved being a part of and helping to host our large family reunions and gatherings!  He loved traveling (favorite trips - Arkansas, Florida, Myrtle Beach, and the Bahamas), and exploring new adventures. His all-time favorite foods were pepperoni pizza (which he could eat everyday), ham, macaroni and cheese, his mother’s yams, and rolls from Golden Corral. 

Zachariah attended Grace Christian School (GCS) in Sanford from kindergarten through sixth grade. There was a mutual love connection between Zachariah and his kindergarten teacher, Ms. Kristie Algeo, that remains today, that created a positive, loving foundation for his successes at GCS. At GCS, he received many, many academic and athletic awards.  He earned A or A/B Honor Roll and had perfect attendance every year.  He was inducted into the National Elementary Honor Society and represented GCS at the Math Olympics. He was a natural athlete and was a cross-country track star, winning or placing in every cross country meet while at GCS literally from the first day he joined the team!  He played JV basketball at GCS & Upward Basketball with First Baptist Church in Sanford several years.

During the summers, he participated in the Boys & Girls Club of Sanford, attended cooking, robotics, basketball, cross country, and STEM camps, Vacation Bible School at GCS and Mt. Moriah and later drivers' education. He volunteered as a Jr. Camp Assistant with Lee County Parks and Recreation and as a camp helper at the Stevens Center in Sanford.

He was accepted into the first class of 7th graders at Ascend Leadership Academy (ALA) public charter school in Sanford, NC, where he attended from grades seven through twelve. He continued to excel in academics, cross country, varsity basketball, and participated on the rugby team!  He was the first student from ALA to participate in the Trio Upward Bound program at Central Carolina Community College in grades ten through twelve. 

Zachariah knew the Lord and was a member of the Mt. Moriah AME Zion Church, Henderson, NC. At Mt. Moriah, he was a Junior Usher and Acolyte. He attended Sunday School each week and served as Mt. Moriah’s delegate or alternate delegate to the Raleigh District Church School Convention for several years.  He sang with the Youth and Children’s Choir on fourth Sundays and assisted in worship, often being called on to lead songs, read the scripture, pray, or serve as worship leader. He served as the videographer and tech support during and after COVID.  He participated with the outreach ministry and the Christian Education children’s and youth departments of Mt. Moriah throughout the years. 

Zachariah represented the Raleigh District several years in the Estelle Roberson Bible Memory Contest and as a member of the Bible Bowl Team at the Central NC conference level and came in first place every year in the Raleigh District Black History Bowl.  He participated with the Raleigh District Christian Education children’s and youth departments throughout the years.

Zachariah worked as a helper with Bristow Builders, LLC for several years and was so proud when he got his first public job at Hardee’s Restaurant working part-time while in the tenth through eleventh grades. He was enrolled at Central Carolina Community College in Sanford where he planned to begin studies this fall.

Zachariah is preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Francis and Mary Bunyon, L. B. and Mary Taylor, one brother, Shakeem Bristow, and one uncle, Winford (Jr.) Clegg. 

Zachariah is survived by his paternal grandmother, Mary Bristow of Sanford, NC; maternal grandmother, Stella Murchison of Sanford, NC; parents, Terry and Linda Bristow of Sanford, NC; biological mother, Tasha Bunyon of Sanford, NC; one sister, Tiera D. Thomas (Sherrard) of Ft. Moore, Georgia; one brother, Jay’lnn; aunts and uncles, Mary Henderson, Annie Lee, Rutha Jones, Earlean Harris, Charlene Gage, L. B. Taylor, Jr (Naomi), Dian Taylor, Barbara Jennings, Alma Sherman (Michael), JoAnn Gulley, Gregory Taylor (Gregory Chandler), Julie Bunyon, Seltina Bristow, Anthony Bristow (Maria), Tony Murchison, and Al Smith; two nephews, Kai and Kairo Thomas; one niece, Kaila Thomas; a special friend, Ms. Tyhonesty Jones, and many, many, many, cousins and friends. 

The family is asking that instead of flowers that persons would make donations to the Christian Education Department (CED) of Mt. Moriah AME Zion Church via check or money order mailed to 5448 Hwy 158 Business, Henderson, NC 27536 or cashapp - $Mtmoriah03.  Please designate “CED” in the memo section.

The family is also asking everyone to help save lives by donating blood now and regularly in Zachariah’s memory! Here’s a link to upcoming blood drives near Sanford: https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/drive-results?order=DATE&range=10&zipSponsor=27332

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Professional services entrusted to Knotts Funeral Home-Sanford, NC