John Knox Andrews

John Knox Andrews, 96, resident of Columbia, passed away Monday, November 9, 2026, at NHC Maury Regional Transitional Care Center.

Graveside services will be conducted Friday, November 13, 2026, at 10:30 AM at Polk Memorial Gardens with Rev. Lory Catlett and Rev. Tommy Vann officiating. Online condolences may be extended at www.oakesandnichols.com.

Born August 28, 1930, in Culleoka, John was the son of the late J. Sam Andrews and the late Dimple Bigham Andrews. He proudly served in the Army National Guard from 1951 until 1959, beginning as a buck private and rising to the rank of Master Sergeant. In 1956, he began working for Occidental Chemical Company as a maintenance supervisor, where he remained until his retirement in 1985. In addition to working at Occidental, he established and operated John's Gun Shop.

In 1952, he married Frances Jean Ashton, who preceded him in death in 1984. In 1985, he married Sammie Bayless, who preceded him in death in 2020. John was a member of Columbia First United Methodist Church. John especially enjoyed watching his grandchildren and great-grandchildren fish in the pond on his property. Above all, he cherished spending time with his family and was extremely proud of each and every one of them.

He is survived by his son, Jimmy (Julie) Andrews of Columbia; stepson, Ben (Jennifer) Bayless of Columbia; stepdaughter, Meg (Les) Lockhart of Heiskell; grandchildren, Lindsey (Josh McCrory) Andrews, Ashton (Whitney) Andrews, Trenton (Hope) Andrews, Nick (Jennifer) Andrews, Cam (Celine Leblanc-Adamson) Andrews, Spenser (Benton) Cheatham, and Gracie (Kyle) Pitts; and great-grandchildren, Luke Alexander, Landon Alexander, Leighton Andrews, Langston Andrews, Lynleigh Andrews, Wallace Andrews, Brooks Andrews, Olivia Andrews, Jasper Pitts, Bennett Pitts, Emmylou Cheatham, and Walker Cheatham.

In addition to his parents and wives, he was preceded in death by his son, John Carl Andrews; and his sister, Betty June (Ned) Denton.

Pallbearers will be Ashton Andrews, Trenton Andrews, Nick Andrews, Cam Andrews, Benton Cheatham, Josh McCrory, and Kyle Pitts. Honorary pallbearers will be Ben Bayless, Les Lockhart, Wayne Rich, Floyd White, Dick Harris, Steve Thomason, Sam Davis, and Larry Weaver.