Andrew Trotter

Andrew Leon Trotter was born on September 7, 1949 at Ft. Sam Houston Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas to the late Albertena Elizabeth Miller Trotter and Reverend Andrew Lee Trotter, Baptist Minister and Sgt. First Class in the United States Army.

The military family migrated to New Mexico in 1954. Andrew and his family were stationed in Sagamihara, Japan when Andrew was a toddler. His early education began at White Sands Missile Range Elementary School. When the family moved to Las Cruces in 1958, his education continued at Booker T. Washington Elementary and Alameda Jr. High School. When the military transferred his father to Mannheim, Germany, once again the family followed and resided there for approximately two years. After returning to the states, he attended Mayfield High School where he was among the first class of students to graduate from what was then a new High School. Andrew, a very popular student, was active in many organizations at Mayfield High and received his diploma in 1967. He decided to continue his education by attending New Mexico State University where he majored in Sociology. He received his BA degree in Sociology and later his Masters in Sociology. Never finding anything too challenging for him to attempt, he decided to take piano lessons while at NMSU and became an accomplished pianist and later became Minister of Music at Bethel Second Baptist and remained in this position until his untimely demise. He lived for more than 50 years in Las Cruces, New Mexico.

Love of people caused Andrew to never meet a stranger and he would strike up a conversation with anyone. Andrew truly loved Las Cruces with its picturesque mountains and terrain and he could have been an ambassador for the city. His affection for the city led him to be an early Civil Rights leader in the community and he was among a group of African-American residents who helped end segregated housing in Las Cruces in the 1960's before federal fair housing laws were passed. He was a member of the NAACP for years where he worked with various groups to make life better for everyone. After graduating from college, Andrew was employed by the State of New Mexico in the Income Support Division, where he retired as a Manager after 27 years of service. He was active in the Las Cruces Civitan Club currently serving as its President for 2013-2014. Andrew was a part-time employee at the Mesilla Valley Hospital through December 20, 2014.

Love of the church was a major part of Andrew's life starting at an early age. He even started his own (play) church when he was a preteen having a preacher, deacons and other staff members. This was a precursor of things to come. Andrew had boundless energy when it came to the church and he worked with many national, state, and local Ministers and church officials over the years. Andrew was an ardent member and leader in Bethel Second Baptist Church for 50 plus years where he was the Christian Education Director, Minister of Music, and served in many capacities. He continued these activities under Bethel's current Pastor, Reverend Brian Harvey.

He was a talented leader in the state of New Mexico where he served as Secretary in the Mt. Olive State Laymen's Association, Meron Wilson, President; he was the General Secretary for 12 years for the State Convention, Rev. J. E. Forney, President, and an instructor in the State Congress of Christian Education, Dr. Richard Gorham, President. He was the President of the State Music Auxiliary. In the New Hope District, Rev. David Walker, Moderator, Brother Trotter was President of the Congress and worked as an instructor.

In the National Baptist Laymen's movement, Andrew supported the Walter Cade workshop as a teacher and worker since they were organized some 40 years ago. He worked with the John L. Webb Banquet and Royal Court Committee. He has traveled all over the world with the National Baptist Laymen since 1975 and was a member of the Baptist World Alliance of Men since 1979. Andrew attended the National Convention, Congress and Sunday School Publishing Board Christian Education Conferences for some 39 years.

Love of football and basketball cannot be left out, and for years Andrew was a big fan of the NMSU Aggies. He was on his way to see the NMSU Aggie basketball team play the University of New Mexico Lobos when he suffered an acute heart attack.

Andrew departed this life on Saturday, December 20, 2014 at Memorial Medical Center in Las Cruces. He was preceded in death by his beloved mother, Albertena Trotter in August 2008. He leaves to cherish his wonderful memory his father, Rev. Andrew Lee Trotter (Betty) sisters Irene Trotter Allen (Mitchell), Catherine Trotter, and brothers Albert Bratcher, George Trotter (Mary), Alan Trotter, Anthony Trotter, Andrew Patrick Trotter (Yolanda) Joseph Trotter, and Marcus Trotter (Charmain), Aunts; Helen Williams, JoAnn Knight, Flora Mae Hendricks; nieces, Cherie Trotter, Tonisha Valverde Trotter, nephews, Darren Valverde Trotter, Dallas Medly Trotter, many other relatives, godchildren, and his beloved Bethel Second Baptist Church family. A visitation is scheduled for Sunday, December 28, 2014 from 5-6pm at Getz Funeral Home. A Funeral Liturgy will take place the following morning Monday, December 29, 2014 at 11am, at Bethel Second Baptist Church with Reverend Harvey officiating. Rite of interment will immediately follow at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens Cemetery.

Arrangements are with Getz Funeral Home 1410 E. Bowman Ave. Las Cruces NM 88001. To sign the local online guest book please visit www.GetzCares.com.