Obituary for Floyd Andrews
On Wednesday, September 14, 2022, Floyd Andrews, a beloved husband, father, educator, community leader, and coach, departed peacefully in West Palm Beach. He was eighty-five.
His parents, Gertrude and James Andrews moved to West Palm Beach from Titusvile. Floyd Andrews graduated from the Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University with a bachelor of science in Biology and Physical Education and went on to become an educator and a coach.
After working for several years, he worked his way up to become a coach. Later, he met Annette Graham in Port St. Joe, Florida who became his wife. They were together for nearly 59 years.
A devoted and faithful Christian, He grew up and has served in various capacities, including as a steward and treasurer at Payne Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church in West Palm Beach, Florida.
Floyd Andrews attended Palmview Elementary School and transitioned to Roosevelt High School in West Palm Beach.
Roosevelt High School was truly invested in their students and their success because it meant success for their village. As a student, Floyd Andrews experienced various scholastic acheivments which he felt prepared him well for higher education.
Roosevelt produced excellence across the board. This pursuit of excellence was also displayed with the concert and marching bands who participated in the Florida Classic Football Championship Orange Bowl.
Not only was he a student at Roosevelt, but he was also an athlete. Floyd Andrews was a shooting guard for the Roosevelt High Maroon Devils Men’s Basketball team. His team came in third place in the state tournament his senior year.
Once Floyd Andrews graduated from Roosevelt High School, he attended FAMU and returned to Roosevelt as a Teacher and Coach a few years after he graduated with his Bachelors Degree. As a Biology and Physical Education teacher, he felt great to be able to come back to the same school that helped to prepare him for his future.
As an educator at Roosevelt High school, he not only helped educate students but was able to further advance their science knowledge. For instance, he attended the National Science Foundation Program at Howard University and Ball State University which enhanced his science knowledge to better serve his students.
Roosevelt High School boys basketball team won their state championship. This particular championship was more special in that it marked the first time Black high school basketball teams left the FIAA(Black Athletic Association) and integrated into the FHSAA. The school won the championship while completing a 27-0 season. The team averaged approximately 90 points a game offensively, gave up 70 points defensively, and scored over 100 points in a game at least 6 times. All of this was done without a 3-point line and playing 4 quarters with 8 minutes per quarter.
As a coach, Floyd Andrews received the keys to the City of both West Palm Beach and Riviera Beach. He was proud to help his players perform on the court and in the classroom by attending colleges throughout the country and receiving their degrees.
As a leader, Floyd Andrews shared leadership principles during his coaching journey with some great leaders he had with former UCLA basketball coach, John Wooden, at the McDonald's All American Game in Philadelphia, PA.
Floyd “Coach” Andrews’s 1968 basketball championship team was voted ’Team of the Decade’ in the state of Florida, and their monumental success sparked a change in the culture of Palm Beach County Sports that continues to have a lasting impact.
It takes a village,” was Floyd Andrews’ commonly said phrase within the community throughout his teaching and coaching career. “When you think about the impact of a statement as such, you never take into account how the impact of one generation can affect generations beyond their existence. I’ve had the opportunity to witness the impact of “the village” throughout my life”, said Floyd Andrews.
Floyd Andrews lived a purposeful and fulfilling life. His servant leadership and his presence on this earth will truly be missed but not forgotten.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Gertrude Andrews and James Andrews; his brother, Edward Andrews, and all who will be standing at the gates waiting ready to welcome him to God’s kingdom.
He leaves to cherish his memories to devoted wife, Annette; his children, Cedric (Carla), Brette (Shelita), Paula and Tracy Andrews and Rufus Graham (Tracy); his grandchildren, Rufus Graham II (Liegh), Isaiah (Alyssa), Bryce, Colin, Jordan, Maiah, and Torrin; his nieces, his nephews, cousins, and a host of devoted relatives and caring friends who will always remember him with love.
His parents, Gertrude and James Andrews moved to West Palm Beach from Titusvile. Floyd Andrews graduated from the Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University with a bachelor of science in Biology and Physical Education and went on to become an educator and a coach.
After working for several years, he worked his way up to become a coach. Later, he met Annette Graham in Port St. Joe, Florida who became his wife. They were together for nearly 59 years.
A devoted and faithful Christian, He grew up and has served in various capacities, including as a steward and treasurer at Payne Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church in West Palm Beach, Florida.
Floyd Andrews attended Palmview Elementary School and transitioned to Roosevelt High School in West Palm Beach.
Roosevelt High School was truly invested in their students and their success because it meant success for their village. As a student, Floyd Andrews experienced various scholastic acheivments which he felt prepared him well for higher education.
Roosevelt produced excellence across the board. This pursuit of excellence was also displayed with the concert and marching bands who participated in the Florida Classic Football Championship Orange Bowl.
Not only was he a student at Roosevelt, but he was also an athlete. Floyd Andrews was a shooting guard for the Roosevelt High Maroon Devils Men’s Basketball team. His team came in third place in the state tournament his senior year.
Once Floyd Andrews graduated from Roosevelt High School, he attended FAMU and returned to Roosevelt as a Teacher and Coach a few years after he graduated with his Bachelors Degree. As a Biology and Physical Education teacher, he felt great to be able to come back to the same school that helped to prepare him for his future.
As an educator at Roosevelt High school, he not only helped educate students but was able to further advance their science knowledge. For instance, he attended the National Science Foundation Program at Howard University and Ball State University which enhanced his science knowledge to better serve his students.
Roosevelt High School boys basketball team won their state championship. This particular championship was more special in that it marked the first time Black high school basketball teams left the FIAA(Black Athletic Association) and integrated into the FHSAA. The school won the championship while completing a 27-0 season. The team averaged approximately 90 points a game offensively, gave up 70 points defensively, and scored over 100 points in a game at least 6 times. All of this was done without a 3-point line and playing 4 quarters with 8 minutes per quarter.
As a coach, Floyd Andrews received the keys to the City of both West Palm Beach and Riviera Beach. He was proud to help his players perform on the court and in the classroom by attending colleges throughout the country and receiving their degrees.
As a leader, Floyd Andrews shared leadership principles during his coaching journey with some great leaders he had with former UCLA basketball coach, John Wooden, at the McDonald's All American Game in Philadelphia, PA.
Floyd “Coach” Andrews’s 1968 basketball championship team was voted ’Team of the Decade’ in the state of Florida, and their monumental success sparked a change in the culture of Palm Beach County Sports that continues to have a lasting impact.
It takes a village,” was Floyd Andrews’ commonly said phrase within the community throughout his teaching and coaching career. “When you think about the impact of a statement as such, you never take into account how the impact of one generation can affect generations beyond their existence. I’ve had the opportunity to witness the impact of “the village” throughout my life”, said Floyd Andrews.
Floyd Andrews lived a purposeful and fulfilling life. His servant leadership and his presence on this earth will truly be missed but not forgotten.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Gertrude Andrews and James Andrews; his brother, Edward Andrews, and all who will be standing at the gates waiting ready to welcome him to God’s kingdom.
He leaves to cherish his memories to devoted wife, Annette; his children, Cedric (Carla), Brette (Shelita), Paula and Tracy Andrews and Rufus Graham (Tracy); his grandchildren, Rufus Graham II (Liegh), Isaiah (Alyssa), Bryce, Colin, Jordan, Maiah, and Torrin; his nieces, his nephews, cousins, and a host of devoted relatives and caring friends who will always remember him with love.