Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, June 10, 1994 TAG: 9406170092
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: By SANDRA BROWN KELLY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
He is survived by his wife, Mary Spotswood Eggleston of Roanoke.
Andrews, born in Oklahoma Territory in October 1904, came to work for The Roanoke Times in 1929. He was city editor of the Times when he left for duty with the Navy in 1943, and when he returned from military duty in 1946, he became editor of the World-News editorial page. The Times and World-News were under the same ownership in those years, but separately operated.
Forrest Landon, executive editor of the Roanoke Times & World-News and former editorial writer, remembers Andrews as a prolific writer of "easy-to-read, forcefully argued editorials, a proud graduate of the College of William and Mary and equally proud soloist in the First Presbyterian Church choir."
"A pragmatic thinker with strong conservative views, he pressed Virginians and residents of the Roanoke Valley, almost daily, to be progressive in outlook - whether the subject was getting raw sewage out of the Roanoke River, improving parklands, upgrading the schools, hiring of blacks in the Police Department, building decent roads or complying with the U.S. Supreme Court's initial school desegregation decree," Landon said.
Andrews was instrumental in Roanoke's honor as an All-America City in 1952. After his retirement, Andrews continued to push for the development of tourist facilities, including a restaurant, atop Mill Mountain. He was chairman of the Mill Mountain Development Committee.
Immediately after his retirement, he was commissioned by the Virginia State Chamber of Commerce to write a biographical book on Gov. Mills E. Godwin Jr.'s first term.
"No Higher Honor" is now out of print, but Katherine Beale Godwin said she and her husband still get calls for the book.
"We have a very warm feeling about Mr. Andrews," she said Thursday from her home in Cedar Point. She said her husband was out of town, but she knew he was "always satisfied" with the book.
In addition to a passion for his profession - Andrews was a founding member of the National Conference of Editorial Writers - he was devoted to William and Mary and most proud of organizing the Order of the White Jacket for men and women who worked their way through college as dining hall waiters.
Andrews was a stately man who enjoyed wearing his tartan clan vest and bow ties.
He was president of the Roanoke Rose Society and a leader with the Roanoke Rotary Club. He also helped found other area clubs.
Andrews remained active at First Presbyterian Church until his death although he retired from the church choir last year after 55 years.
Robert Chapman, director of music, said Andrews left instructions that the choir sing "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross" at his funeral. Chapman said the hymn ends "joyously."
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at First Presbyterian Church. In lieu of flowers the family suggests gifts to the Campbell Memorial Fund of First Presbyterian, the scholarship fund of the Order of the White Jacket at the College of William and Mary or the Salvation Army.
She recalled that at the time Andrews was writing the book, "We were so tired and worn out, and he was so nice."
by CNB