Dates
On October 9, 2016 while at home surrounded by family and friends, Jerry Lee Andrews moved to his heavenly home with our Lord and Savior. Surely he was pleased when he saw his Girlfriend-Lola there waiting.
Jerry Andrews was born in the tiny town of Whitewright, Texas on February 18, 1927, the youngest of four children. His mother, Lora Andrews, moved the family to San Angelo in 1941, when Jerry was 14 years old.
From the beginning, Jerry, nicknamed “Whitewright,” loved his new big city, San Angelo and his school, Blackshear, which he describes in his memoirs as “beautiful” and “magnificent”. He said, “My first happy experience in San Angelo was meeting the young girl who was destined to be my bride, Lola Gertrude Rogers. She was the first girl I met on my first day at Blackshear School.” It was also during this time that he gave his life to the Lord and joined St. Paul Baptist Church, where he was an active member until his health failed.
Jerry attended Blackshear until the 11th grade; he then joined the Navy to avoid being drafted into the Army during WWII. After two years Jerry got out of the Navy, as the war was winding down in Europe. However, fighting was still continuing in Japan and he decided to go back in - this time to the Army. The war ended shortly thereafter and he returned home.
After the military, Jerry attended Texas College in Tyler, TX, studying American History and Sociology; he had dreams of becoming a teacher. However, being a self-starter, he eventually returned to San Angelo and began working at Clatterbuck’s Cleaners. In the meantime, Lola Rogers, his childhood sweetheart had also returned to San Angelo from attending Dillard University in Louisiana. They rekindled their love and shortly thereafter, Jerry married the love of his life.
Jerry always took a great interest in serving the community. He served on the City Planning Committee, as well as being president of the Lions Club for two years. Jerry was also instrumental in getting Randolph Street changed to Martin Luther King Drive. He said he thought he would never live to see a Black president – but, God…
Jerry retired from Goodyear Proving Grounds in 1987, after 20 years of employment, which gave him the opportunity to operate his own business full-time. Lola’s Washateria, Since 1945, which he and his wife operated.
Jerry was always a man who loved his family and leaves to cherish his memory and celebrate his life and accomplishments, his three daughters- Betty Andrews, Robbie A. Raven (William “Big Bill” Raven), and Donna Andrews, all of San Angelo; three grandchildren, Veronda Vilmin of San Angelo, Texas, Vernon Andrews (Shelby Andrews), of Spokane, Washington and Sancie Andrews, of San Angelo; One Great Grandchild, Rylee Andrews of Spokane Washington; and a nephew which he raised, Jerry Freeman (Georgia Ann Freeman) of Chesapeake, Va.
The Family will receive friends from 6:00 P.M. – 8:00 P.M., Friday, October 14, 2016 at Harper Funeral Home. The funeral Service will be 1:00 P.M., Saturday, October 15, 2016 at St. Paul Baptist Church with Rev. Charles Davis officiating. Interment will follow at Lawnhaven Memorial Gardens.
“I’ve had a good life. I’ve loved my family and tried to be a good husband and father. I’ve contributed to the building of my community. All in all, I’ve done my best.” (from “Whitewright”, the Jerry Andrews Story)
The LORD is my Light and my salvation- whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life – of whom shall I be afraid? Psalm 27: 1
Family and friends may share condolences and sign the online register book at
www.harper-funeralhome.com