Reverend Dr. Richard (Dick) Shelton Andrews

The Reverend Dr. Richard (Dick) Shelton Andrews departed this world and went to the next on December 13, 2022. Dr. Andrews was born in Christiansburg, Virginia on November 15, 1932 and grew up in Blacksburg, Virginia with brief times in Evanston, Illinois. He went to Virginia Tech and transferred to Hampden-Sydney College where he graduated in 1953 and was married in the summer of 1953 to Peggy Ann Drewry. He went to Union Theological Seminary where he graduated in 1956, his family having grown by two children. He went to serve the Oak Grove and Myrtle Grove churches in Wilmington, NC where a third child was born. He then moved to Cobb Memorial Presbyterian in Tarboro, NC where another child was born. Dick felt called to Florence in 1963 to begin serving as the first pastor of a new church, John Calvin Presbyterian, where another child was born. Dick served at John Calvin Presbyterian until he retired from full-time ministry. In Florence, Dr. Andrews worked with others to grow John Calvin as a church for the community. He was also supportive of his wife Peggy, who was able to become a registered nurse and work in the Presbyterian Home of SC (later the Presbyterian Communities). While pastor, he was involved as a Civil Air Patrol Chaplain, learned to fly single engine planes, was Stated Clerk for the presbytery, went on a Board of World Mission trip to the Far East, served as representative to General Assembly, was a Kiwanian for over 50 years serving as President and pancake supper ticket salesman extraordinaire, worked with Lighthouse Ministries along with Peggy, worked at the SC Alcoholic Rehabilitation Center as a counselor, saw John Calvin grow from Chapel to Church with multiple facilities, worked with fellow minister groups, and earned a D. Min. from McCormick Theological Seminary in 1975. After retiring from John Calvin in 1998, Dr. Andrews continued his ministry by serving as an interim pastor at several churches including Williamsburg Presbyterian in Kingstree. After retiring from interim ministry, he continued to preach at churches throughout New Harmony Presbytery. His last sermon was delivered in July 2013 at the age of 80. Unfortunately, he lost his wife of 56 years on September 29, 2009, to cancer which Peggy had been fighting for 21 years. Dr. Andrews was fortunate to visit Israel twice, each time with some of his family. He liked to read, had a great sense of humor, and had a great love of recreation and dance, especially at Camp Pee Dee. He played on the church softball team at first base, and although he didn’t catch everything, he was a big target. He liked to play tennis, even if it was with a wooden racket. He kept meticulous records of church membership, births, deaths, baptisms, what books he loaned, what books he read, especially the Bible, and what sermons he preached. He had a gift of talking with people and understanding them. He especially loved and cared for his family throughout his life. He was predeceased by his parents, Stephen C. Andrews and Nan S. Andrews and one sister, Marguarite M. (Peggy) Andrews and his wife Peggy D. Andrews. He is survived by his siblings Nancy C. Andrews and Stephen C. Andrews Jr (Marcia), his children David S. Andrews (Sally), Karen A. Pattillo, Dr. Richard M. Andrews (Bonnita), Cynthia A. Tilton (Lawrence), Dr. Scott B. Andrews (Carolyn), his grandchildren George W. (Tripp) Pattillo III (Kelli), Christy A. Andrews (Ashleigh), Ryan C. Andrews (Lee), David S. Andrews, Jr. (Megan), Katie B. Andrews (Tee), Christopher S. Andrews, Stephen T. Andrews (Chandler), Eric Tilton (Candy), Nicky McGinnes (Tim), and Ian Tilton (Tiffany); and great grandchildren, Caitlyn E. Pattillo, Wylie J. Pattillo, Lincoln R. Pattillo, Sean W. Stephens, Andrew Z. Stephens, and Amelia Catherine Andrews, Lauren Wood, Amber and Autumn McGinnes, and Alexis and Jordan Tilton. The family would like to thank Natalie McBride and Pam Jackson for their excellent and loving care in his final years. A memorial service will be held on Monday, December 19, at 11:00 am at John Calvin Presbyterian Church in Florence, SC. The family will receive friends following the worship service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to John Calvin Presbyterian Church, 2000 Marsh Ave., Florence, SC 29505; Lighthouse Ministries, PO Box 6801, Florence, SC 29502; or a charity of your choice. Please sign the Guest Book for the family at www.stoudenmiredowling.com.