John Tesser Andrews

John Tesser Andrews, 83, of Clarkesville, GA passed away on April 5, 2019. Son of Bennie and Beulah Andrews, John was born on February 1, 1936 in Farifax, Alabama. He graduated from Auburn University in 1958. He was a manufacturers’’ representative in the home furnishings industry for more than 50 years where he made lifelong friends. John was an active member of Grace-Calvary Episcopal Church in Clarkesville, GA where he served on the vestry, the flower guild, and parish life committee. He loved to cook and would feed the choir on Christmas Eve and help host parish picnics. He served on the boards of Mikell Camp and Conference Center, the Alliance of African American Music, and Habersham County Soup Kitchen. He served the Diocese of Atlanta for more than 25 years in various roles including the Standing Committee, Executive Board, and the Cathedral Board of Trustees. He was a Council Delegate and was a Deputy to General Convention five times. He also volunteered his time at the Lee Arrendale State Prison where he worked with the children of the women prisoners. John was a kind, caring man who made a difference in lives of others wherever he went. He is known to generations of children as Papa John and is remembered for his warm smile, infectious laugh, and big hugs. He is survived by his daughter Allison Stapleton and husband Kenneth Stapleton; daughter Ashley Garcia, brother Ronald Andrews and grandchildren Anatoli Stapleton, Nina Stapleton and Claire Garcia. The funeral will be held on April 12, 2019 at 11:00 am at Grace-Calvary Episcopal Church and will be followed by a celebration of life in the parish hall. In lieu of flowers, John asked to please send donations to Grace-Calvary Episcopal Church or Mikell Camp and Conference Center.