Jay Arnold Andrews

Obituary 

Life's Seasons 

“To everything there is a season and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die, and time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted: A time to kill, and time to heal; a time to break down, and time to build up: A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance: A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing: A time to get, and a time to lose: a time to keep, and a time to cast away: a time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and time to speak; A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war and a time of peace.” Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 

A Time to be Born 

Jay Arnold Andrews was born in Steubenville, Ohio on June 10th, 1952. He was the youngest of four children born to the late Roosevelt and Catherine Andrews. 

A Time to Plant 

Jay was educated in the Jefferson County Public Schools in Steubenville, Ohio, and later attended Prince George's County Community College. After graduating high school in 1970, he immediately joined the United States Air Force where he served on numerous tours of duty both national and international, including North Korea, Germany, Italy, Spain and the Philippines. Jay's most memorable assignment was with the 93rd Aerial Port Squadron at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland, where he served as Assistant Crew Chief for Security Patrol guarding Air Force Fighter Jets on the flight line, ensuring security of Air Force One/Presidential Aircraft, and guarding arrival/departure of foreign dignitaries on Andrews Air Force Base. While working with the 459th Mission Support Squadron, he was privileged to meet former Presidents Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford. Jay was awarded many accommodations and honors for his dedicated service to the United States Air Force including the Meritorious Service Award by direction of the President, 459th Mission Support Squadron, Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland. He retired from the Air Force Active Duty in 1993 and started a new career with the United States Federal Government where he retired in 2009. 

Jay Arnold Andrews was a faithful servant of the Lord. He served in various capacities and roles including but not limited to serving on the Deacon and Trustee Board, Sunday school and bible study teacher, men’s choir member, and Faith Works Ministry to name a few. In 1981, Jay became a charter member of Gethsemane Baptist Church in Mitchellville, Maryland, under the leadership of Pastor John Maddox. This is where he accepted Christ as Lord and Savior of his life. Later in 1996, he joined the Woodstream Church in Mitchellville, Maryland, under Pastor Robert Wingfield. In May of 2019, Jay relocated to Hagerstown, Maryland, and joined the International Church of God in Frederick, Maryland under Head Pastor Todd Rigney. Even then, he continued his study of the word in the weekly men’s Zoom Class facilitated by Bro. James Stockton at Woodstream Church. 

Jay was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend. He will be greatly missed by all. Jay was known for his electrifying personality and could strike up a good conversation with anyone. In his past-time he was a dedicated sports fan; he loved football. However, everyone knows Jay was an avid fisherman. His late father, Roosevelt Andrews, Sr. was his #1 fishing partner. He enjoyed sharing his love for the water with his son Jamarr and grandson Cornelius. No place was too far to travel if fishing was involved, including deep sea and shore fishing. He fished the Great Lakes, the Canadian Coast, throughout Eastern Shores, from Cape Cod to the Florida Coast, and everywhere in between. One of the most interesting fishing memories was fighting with the line only to discover he caught a shark, not to mention he caught a 2nd shark that very same day. 

A Time to Love 

Jay and Edna Andrews were united in Holy Matrimony by the Rev. Joseph A. Miles in Washington, DC, on Friday, October 2, 1976, for a blessed 48 years. 

A Time to Die 

On Monday, January 13, 2025, at Meritus Medical Center in Hagerstown, Maryland, Jay was called by his Heavenly Father to "come home" departing from this life and enter into his eternal rest. He was preceded in death by his parents, Roosevelt, Sr. and Catherine Andrews. 

Jesus said, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth My word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. John 5:24. We know that Jay heard, read, studied, taught, and practiced Jesus' Word. He believed in Him and now has everlasting life. 

A Time to Weep 

Jay Andrews leaves innumerable pleasant memories to be cherished by his loving committed covenant partner and wife: Edna, two grateful children: daughter, Keshia Rhodes; son, Jamarr Andrews (Alana); loving grandchildren: Erin Smith (Joey), Cornelius Andrews, Mykela Myles-Ramirez (Nicholas), Myria Myles, London Dawson, Elizabeth Dawson, Alexis Andrews, Jamarr Andrews Jr.; great grandchildren: Skylar Smith, Zoe Smith, Harley Smith; Two brothers: Roosevelt Andrews, Jr., his twin Ray Anthony Andrews(Janet); sister: Sharon Young (Michael); Aunt Glenda; as well as a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, family members and friends. 

The family will receive friends on Saturday, January 25 from 10 to 11 AM at International Community Church, 123 Byte Drive, Frederick, MD 21702, where a funeral service will be held at 11 AM. Interment will be on Tuesday, January 28 at 10 AM at Garrison Forest Veterans Cemetery, 11501 Garrison Forest Road, Owings Mills, MD 21117.