Donald Lee Andrews

Donald Lee Andrews was born on April 7, 1944. His father, Elijah Lee Andrews and mother, Dorothy Louise Dyer were high school sweethearts. His mother raised him basically by herself and with the help of his stepfather, Robert Winter. His beloved grandparents were Elijah and Addie Andrews and Maxie Morse Mullins. Don was blessed with his two uncles, Don Dyer and George Cockrum whom he loved dearly.

Don graduated from Holston High School in 1962. He married Judith Elizabeth Rhoton with whom he had two wonderful children. Donna Loraine Gabriel and husband Mark. Lori and Mark gave him two beautiful grandchildren, first Andrew Donald Gabriel and second, Elizabeth Erin Gabriel. Kenneth Scott Andrews was his second child and he and Brennan gave him two more grandchildren that are twin boys, Nicholas Andrews and Stephen Andrews. They are both fine young men. Scott later married Adrienne on October 2, 2021 and they reside in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Don was very much focused on helping others and spent much of his life doing that. He felt great joy in giving back. His advice for young people was “everyone should find someone who is less fortunate than they are and reach out to help them.” He hoped to be remembered as someone who always helped people who were not as blessed as he was.

He loved the newspaper, especially the comics and the crossword puzzles.

He is survived by his wife and soulmate of 30 plus years, Renita Fay; daughter, Lori Gabriel and husband Mark; son, Scott Andrews and his wife Adrienne; grandchildren, Erin and Andrew Gabriel and Stephen and Nicholas Andrews, Adrienne’s daughter, Brooklyn.

Don would be the first to admit that he made plenty of mistakes. He wasn’t perfect and he would want to remind you that you don’t have to be either. Life is short, do what matters. Repent and believe. Settle your eternity with the Lord Jesus Christ and you will see him again one day.

Don spent nearly 35 years with the K Mart Corporation, starting at the K Mart on North Broadway. Don managed nine stores and was a District Manager for over eight years. Don retired in January of 2000 and he and his wife returned to Knoxville.

Upon moving back to Knoxville, Don and Renita bought their dream home in Fountain City on Mountain Crest Drive. Don and Renita loved antiques and Renita was an expert when it came to decorating. Don was so proud of his and Renita’s home.

Don started out driving a school bus and substitute teaching at Gibbs High School with the special needs children. He felt he had really found his calling.

Knox Area Rescue Ministries came calling and offered Don a job with their thrift stores. He spent 30 months getting them set up with fixtures from the K Mart corporation.

Don was drawn back to his old school bus job. He was then able to once again work with the special needs children of Knox County. In 2010 he was asked to work at Fulton High School with their special needs program. Don spent all day on the bus driving students to job sites. He was the happiest when he was serving these precious young students.

Don has requested that there be no formal funeral. The only thing he wanted was this obituary. He did not want his death to be a gloomy religious experience for his loved ones as from II Timothy 4:7 “I have fought the good fight, I finished my course, I have kept the faith.”

In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution in Don’s memory to Buffat Heights Baptist Church (2800 Mill Road, Knoxville, TN 37924).

Gentry Griffey Funeral Chapel is honored to serve the Andrews family and invites you to view and sign the online registry.

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