Obituaries : Bobby Andrews; Baptist Church Deacon

Bobby Andrews, a 40-year county resident who loved barbecuing, building and bingo, died Friday in Oxnard of a heart attack. He was 57.

He was born April 2, 1939, in Chatham, La. Andrews began working in the construction industry at age 13 and was a construction foreman for many years. He moved to Ventura County from Seattle when he was 17.

Andrews helped erect Morning Star Church in Oxnard and many other buildings in the county.

He joined Oxnard’s Mt. Salem Bible Baptist Church about a year ago and became a deacon. He was participating in the 6-year-old church’s planned move from the Independent Order of Odd Fellows Lodge on Samuel Avenue, Pastor R. O. Crocker said.

“He was sitting on our building fund committee board,” Crocker said. “He was going to be heavily involved in helping us build a permanent location.”

At 6 feet, 3 inches and almost 300 pounds, Andrews lived up to his nickname of “Big Bob,” Crocker said. He also owned and operated a barbecue cooking and delivery service with his wife, Doris.

“His specialty was ribs,” Crocker said. “He would marinate them a couple of nights and then he would slap them on the grill. He never left them too long.”

In addition to his wife, survivors include his daughter, Nakeisha, of Oxnard; his mother, Ginnie Mae Andrews of Chatham; 13 brothers and sisters, and numerous nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Paul’s Baptist Church in Oxnard with Crocker officiating.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Guardian Memorial Funeral Directors, Oxnard.

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Ventura County obituaries are published free of charge as a public service to readers. Obituaries are based on information provided by mortuaries.