Obituary of Andrew Paul Woolfolk

The sun rose on the life of Mr. Andrew Paul Woolfolk, Sr. on July 20, 1927 in Grand Chain, Illinois when he was born to Coleman Woolfolk and Charity Claypool. The twenty-first child of twenty-two children born in the family, he had eleven brothers, Clarence, Amos, Roy, Edgar, Coleman and Herbert Woolfolk, Russell, Sam, Leonard, Ernest, and Luke Massie and ten sisters, Mary, Lessie, Clatie, Bessie, Flora, Lola, and Anniebell Woolfolk and Viola, Leoda and Lessie Massie. As a child he was always a good student, but it took the whole classroom to manage him due to his inquisitiveness and zest for life. Educated in the public school system, Andrew attended Lovejoy High School in Mound City, Illinois. Andrew proudly served his country in the United States Army for twenty-one years. His active duty began in June 1946 and ended in April 1967. His final rank was Master Sergeant E-8. Andrew always made provisions for his wife and children to travel with him wherever the army sent him. Upon his retirement, having served with honor and distinction, he was given an Honorable Discharge from the Army and a grateful nation. During his active duty with the service, Andrew met and fell in love with Jessie Mae Hamilton at the USO in San Antonio, Texas. The couple exchanged their vows on September 3, 1949 at Shiloh Baptist Church in San Antonio. One of the biggest struggles and the greatest testament of their love was demonstrated when Jessie and Andrew were told by the doctor that she needed eye surgery, and she could permanently lose her eyesight. Scared and uncertain of the outcome of her pending surgery, Andrew reaffirmed his commitment to her when he was first allowed to see her after surgery. Eyes bandaged from the procedure, Andrew leaned over the hospital bed, kissed her, and whispered in her ear, "I love you, and I'll never be but a kiss away. You're going to be alright." To this union were born five children, Robert Earl, Andrew Paul, II, Dana Rochelle, Darryl Hamilton, and Kimberly Lynette. He was a devoted husband and loving father. In later years, his grandchildren, Warren John, Elias Renee, Roberta Elaine, Robert Earl, II, Shawn Paul, Shavon Christine, Teri Lynn and Daryl Anntoinette were an additional source of joy and pride in his life. They called him "Grandpa" and he loved them dearly. A man of faith in God, Andrew was a faithful member of Macedonia Baptist Church for forty-five years. He served the Lord and his church as a member of the Usher Board #1. After his retirement from the United States Army, Andrew was employed with Pacific Intermountain Express (P.I.E.) Trucking Company for twenty-three years in the position of Computer Operations Dock Clerk. "Because of his integrity and work ethic, Andrew was able to refer numerous young black men for employment at P.I.E., which was not a common practice in the 1970's. He opened the door of opportunity for them to earn a living and put themselves through college." He was also employed as a school bus driver with the Denver School System. In his free time Andrew enjoyed spending time with his wife Jessie the most. He also enjoyed supporting his children in all of their activities, watching sports, especially prize fighting and the Denver Broncos and photography. While Andrew had many friends through the military, work and church, his best friend and confidant has always been his wife, Jessie Mae Hamilton Woolfolk. Andrew is best remembered by his warm smile and sense of humor, commitment to his family, and his strength and grace. The words or phrases that remind us of Dad are: He lost his father at the tender age of 9. Yet he used that experience to become the best father he could be to his own children and to countless other youngsters, teenagers and adults. Many of them lovingly called him "Pops" or "Papa Woolfolk". Leaning on the Godly principles he learned from his mother, Charity, Andrew clearly demonstrated those principles by how many lives he touched. His love, strength of character, caring for family and friends and beautiful smile will be deeply missed by all who were blessed to have been a part of this wonderful man's life. To know Andrew was truly to love him. The sun set on the life of Mr. Andrew Paul Woolfolk, Sr. on November 30, 2014 when the Lord called him home to eternal rest. He is preceded in death by his parents, his siblings, and grandson, Warren John Woolfolk. Those left to cherish his memory include his devoted wife, Jessie Mae Woolfolk of Denver, CO; sons, Robert Earl Woolfolk of Denver, CO, Andrew Paul Woolfolk, II of Denver, CO and Darryl Hamilton Woolfolk of Denver, CO; daughters, Dana Rochelle Woolfolk of Denver, CO and Kimberly Lynette (Larry) Woolfolk-King of Denver, CO; grandchildren, Elias Renee Woolfolk, Roberta Elaine (James) Lamas, Robert (Adeyanju) Earl, II, Shawn Paul Woolfolk, Shavon Christine Woolfolk, Teri Lynn Woolfolk, and Daryl Anntoinette (Marquis) Rogers, Rodney (Malvia) Brown and Angela Brown, both of Denver, CO; 28 great grandchildren; 10 great great grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends. Rest in peace...Andrew