Andrew R. Heskett

Rev. Andrew R. Heskett, 94, of Hannibal, Mo. passed away at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, January 17, 2017, at Willow Care Center in Hannibal.

In accordance to Mr. Heskett's wishes there will be no services held. The family is being served by the Smith Funeral Home & Chapel in Hannibal, Mo.

Andrew was born on December 29, 1922, in Ratio, Phillips County, Ark. the son of Joe Thomas, Sr. and Willie Adell (Davis) Heskett.

Andy grew up like any farmer's son in the 1920's, but always had a thirst for education. He was the first of his family to finish high school and was instrumental in seeing that some of his siblings did (which was really something for that day). In the fall of 1941 Andy left home with a suitcase the size of a weekender (which contained all his clothes) and $50.00 to his name to work his way through college.

He first entered Ouachita Baptist College; but later transferred to Arkansas State Teachers College. He tells of the semester that he held seven part time jobs to support himself. He graduated from Arkansas State Teachers College in 1945 with a BA Degree, he had a major in History and a minor in English. He had earned a major in Bible at Ouachita before transferring to ASTC. He took his first pastorate in September of 1942, and was not without full time work until he left Central Baptist Church in January of 1969. He held pastorates while in school and while teaching three years, earning enough to enter Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, Ky. in the fall of 1948, where he earned a BD degree in 1951. He continued the next year at SBTS working on the Master of Theological Degree.

Andy married Bennie Jean Appling in December of 1948 in their home church in West Helena, Ark. To that union two children were born: Richard Wayne Heskett in 1957 and wife Daisy of Bryan, Tx. and Monica Jean Heskett in 1960 of Hannibal, Mo. Bennie Jean preceded him in death. He later married Karen (Ketsenburg) Cole on September 5, 1981 at Alameda Navel Base in Oakland, Ca. She preceded him in death on September 5, 2015. Other survivors include one brother, Joe Heskett, Jr. and wife Peggy of Stockton, CA.

In addition to his parents and wives, Mr. Heskett was preceded in death by four brothers, Raymond, Leon, Dalton, and Phillip and three sisters, Darce, Nell, and Sarah.

Andy's educational pursuits led him to pastor churches in Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Texas. His last was for seven years at Central Baptist Church in Bryan, Tx., where they averaged over 500 in Sunday School. The morning worship service was broadcasted on radio. He enjoyed organizing and working with a large number of foreign students at Texas A&M. He also had the honor of working as Chaplain of Bryan's Police Department with 42 officers. He was active in the local Baptist Association, the Texas Baptist Association, and the Southern Baptist Convention.

Upon moving to California in 1969, he was first involved in the floor covering business with his brothers, Leon and then Joe. Later he taught professional sales seminars for Turner Enterprises throughout the U.S. He later obtained a real estate salesman's license and later a broker's license and sold real estate for eleven years.

In February of 1981 Andy obtained a California floor covering license and moved to Vallejo to start a floor covering business for his son, Rick. He named the business Monrick Carpets. In 1986 he joined Glenn Fuller and organized Fuller Floors. Later in 1988 he became sole owner of Fuller Floors until he retired in 1993 and moved to Hannibal, Mo.

One of Andy's favorite quotes is by Mark Twain: "Age is a matter of the mind and if you don't mind it doesn't matter."

Memorial contribution may be made to the Baptist Memorial Hospital Memphis, Tennessee, in care of the Smith Funeral Home & Chapel, 2619 St. Mary's Ave. Hannibal, Mo. 63401.

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