Wilma Jean Andrews, Jesus’ (Yeshua’s) biggest and brightest cheerleader, went home to meet him Tuesday, February 13th, 2024. While her life and legacy most assuredly deserves a Lifetime movie, patriot podcast, and Hallmark marathon, we’ll do our best to do her justice within the confines of an “acceptable” obituary.
Born April 7, 1931 in Ashland, Kentucky, Wilma grew up in the local Church of God and graduated from Ashland / Boyd County High School where she lettered as a varsity cheerleader. Upon graduation, she completed her Bachelor’s Degree in Drama and English and went on to receive her Master’s Teaching Certificate from Asbury (Seminary) University in Wilmore, Kentucky.
In college her favorite drama professor, Wally Buice, played unrepentant matchmaker by casting Wilma as the leading lady in romantic plays. Her leading man — a tall, dashing, dark-haired “preacher-in-training”, named Joe Andrews, nailed her love interest roles; and, by the time the last curtain fell, he had swept her off her feet and married her at her childhood home on June 7, 1953.
After a short honeymoon at a fire-and-brimstone campmeeting (oh yes they did), Wilma and Joe settled in Shurlington / Cross Keys — a tiny community in East Macon, Georgia. Joe continued his education at Mercer University and, together, they accepted their first pastoral position at Macon Evangelistic Church (where they would co-pastor for over 50 years). During their commission at “Macon E”, Wilma and Joe made five trips to the Holy Land. While there, they felt a calling to produce an Easter Passion Play of the life, death, and resurrection of Christ entitled, “He Touched Me.”
What was meant to be a one-time performance in April of 1970 went on to become six decades of recurring performances that are still widely attended, today. Wilma, a talented oil-and-canvas artist wrote, directed, and painted much of the play’s scenery. The scenes and backdrops were carefully crafted to be accurate replicas of the actual streets and buildings in Israel. The “Love Story of Our Savior” was told, from beginning to end, in His own setting.
Thousands, if not tens of thousands, attended the play. The number of salvation decisions made at the end of those performances will not be known until we reach heaven, but we truly believe Wilma was greeted by an incredibly, long line of people who came to know the Lord because of the Holy Spirit using her ministry.
In her early years, Wilma taught high school, English, at River North Academy. Later, at “Macon E’, she and Joe decided to build and open a church-sponsored, K4-12th grade school (Chapel Hill Christian Academy). At Chapel Hill, Wilma taught "Bible" to a young generation of South Macon students. Throughout the years she (and her entire family) were honored to hear from her “kids” who were still walking with the Lord due to her influence during their formative years.
In 1993, Wilma and Joe were in a devastating car accident. Their injuries were life altering — But, God!
After extensive physical rehabilitation, Wilma and Joe dedicated the rest of their lives to building a second church — United Community Church “UCC” (also in Macon). Wilma was an active Sunday School teacher and organizer of its Vacation Bible School. She also resumed teaching in the Bibb County Public School System.
Wilma was preceded in death by her parents — Winfield Addington Greene, Sr., and his beautiful bride, Myrtle Estep Greene. She was also preceded in death by her beloved siblings: Bette Ruth Rayle (& Eddie), her twin — Winfield “Bubby” Addington Greene, Jr, and Jack Greene. We are truly blessed to have her sisters-in-law: Betty Greene of Bowling Green, Kentucky, and Hilda Greene of Mason / Cincinnati, Ohio still with us today.
Wilma adored her children: Joseph (Josh) S. Andrews, Jr. (& JoAnn Corley) of Lizella, GA and Dawn Sharp Cox (& John) of Stockbridge, GA. When grandchildren arrived, her heart expanded to fill the universe with love for Jessica Brooke (& Caleb) Newberry and Shea Paul Sharp (all of Gray, Georgia); Brittaney Jade (& Beau) Swafford of St. Simons Island, Georgia; Ashleigh Bennett (& Grant) of Kathleen, Georgia; Morgan Corley (& Tasha) of Fort Lauderhill, Florida; and Jarrett Corley (& Courtney) of Barnesville, Georgia.
With long life comes the opportunity to spoil great-grandchildren; and, love and cuddle them, she did: Kalyb and Kanyn Durden of Gray, Georgia; Colton Spires, Willow Joiner, and Lathan Bennett of Kathleen, Georgia; Duke and Sawyer Swafford of St Simons Island, Georgia; Aria Sharp of Gray, Georgia; Morgan, Jr. & Cohen of Macon, Georgia; Cooper, Evie Grey, and Draco of Barnesville, Georgia; and Allison McCullough of Warner Robins, Georgia.
Never one to sit idle, Wilma was putting finishing touches on a Christian manuscript written by her sister Bette Ruth Rayle. Soon the family will publish their work of love: The Visitation, Conversations with An Angel.
Visitation / Viewing for friends and family will be held Saturday from 5-7:00pm at Snow’s Memorial Chapel, 3969 Mercer University Dr., in Macon, Georgia. A private family burial will follow.
A celebration of life event, worthy of Wilma’s legacy will be held at United Community Church in the near future. We will update here as soon as those arrangements have been finalized.
“Mom, Meme, Wilma… we will always remember who we belong to… And, you didn’t fool us at all…We know what it says in Hebrews about entertaining angels but, you better believe, we were always aware.”
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