Lillian Wright Andrews

Lillian McCarter Wright Andrews, wife of the late Col. John Taylor Andrews, Jr, passed away on November 15, 2014 in Cary, NC at age 95. Daughter of Rose Wheeler Wright and William McCarter Wright, M.D., she was born in Baltimore, Maryland on October 23, 1919. Her father died when she was five, and her mother kept the family together by running a rooming house during the Great Depression. After a brief time in Los Angeles, in search of employment and the California dream, Lillian married John, a young army officer, on May 23, 1941 and became an "Army wife" for the rest of her life. Although the two were separated for three and a half years during World War II, they eventually traveled the globe (eight states, Germany, and Japan) for the next thirty years.

Lillian was a full-time mother and homemaker. Later, in the 1970s, after studying journalism, she wrote a column for the local press. She also volunteered regularly at her church, the National Symphony, and the White House. During the Presidencies of Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush, she and other members of the Martha Washington chapter of the Republican Women's Club in Alexandria, VA., were among the staff that answered White House phones and sent congratulatory notices. As President of that chapter, Lillian hosted elegant coffees in support of her favorite GOP candidates. She loved Ikebana, bridge, and entertaining. She was also fiercely loyal to her children and grandchildren and delighted in their company. All remember her warmth and youthful spirit. In the last few years, after Alzheimer's disease made it difficult to walk, she still was inclined to dance.

Besides her husband John, Lillian was predeceased by her sisters Martha Myers, Harriet Wright, and Hathaway Rinehart, and a brother, Michael Wright. She is survived by her children, John Andrews, III (Linda), of Atlanta, GA; Susan Lederer (Lyle), of Sanford, NC; Pamela Andrews (John Little), of Belmont, MA; George Andrews (Jan Carey), of Salida, CO; former daughter-in-law Mary Andrews of Longmont, CO; ten nieces and nephews, ten grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren.

Family will receive friends on Thursday evening, January 22nd from 7 - 8:30 pm at DeMaine Funeral Home - 520 S. Washington Street - Alexandria, Virginia. Interment will take place in Arlington National Cemetery on Friday, January 23, 2015 at 11 AM, with a Memorial Service to celebrate her life at 2 PM at St. Luke's Episcopal Church - 8009 Fort Hunt Road - Alexandria, Virginia.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to an Alzheimer's organization of their choice. Suggestions include the Cure Alzheimer’s Fund (http://www.curealz.org/) or the Alzheimer’s Association - Eastern NC Chapter (www.alznc.org).

Condolences to the family at www.ApexFuneral.net