Ike F. Andrews

Ike Franklin Andrews, 84, lawyer and former member of the United States House of Representatives, died May 10.
He is survived by his wife, JoAnne Andrews of Galloway Ridge, Pittsboro; his daughter, Alice Andrews Joyce of Chapel Hill (and Alice’s husband Bob), and his grandchildren, Kevin Joyce and Laura Joyce, both of Chapel Hill.
He was predeceased by his daughter, Nina Patricia Andrews.
Mr. Andrews was born to Archie and Ina Dunlap Andrews in Bonlee, a small community in western Chatham County. He grew up there surrounded by both sides of his family. His love of that place, its people, its values, and its spirit was a central part of his character and never waned. His father ran the hardware store (and was the postmaster) and his mother was a beloved school teacher and an anchor of the community. Even as Mr. Andrews served in Congress, he spent most Sunday afternoons on the front porch in Bonlee.
As soon as he reached 18, young Ike enlisted. He served as a forward observer after the invasion of Normandy in the push toward Germany, was wounded by enemy gunshot in the Battle of the Bulge, and was recuperating in a hospital in Scotland when the war in Europe ended. He left the hospital to make his way to London, standing outside No. 10 Downing Street as Winston Churchill announced the German surrender.
Upon his return, Mr. Andrews enrolled at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, earning undergraduate and law degrees. While he was a student, he married JoAnne Johnson of Siler City and their first daughter, Alice, was born. He supported the young family with an innovative egg business, buying from farmers around Bonlee and selling to fraternity houses and restaurants in Chapel Hill.
Following graduation, Mr. Andrews entered law practice in Pittsboro and eventually moved his practice to Siler City. He was elected solicitor (district attorney) and prosecuted criminal cases in Chatham, Orange, and Alamance counties. His law practice grew and, during this time, his second daughter, Patti, was born.
In 1959, Mr. Andrews was elected to the North Carolina Senate, serving one term. Then, he served four terms in the North Carolina House of Representatives. He was the chief legislative spokesman for the interests of the Chapel Hill campus in the reorganization of higher education in North Carolina in the early 1970s. He was credited by all observers as a leader in the passage of the legislation that created the modern 16-campus University of North Carolina.
In 1972, Mr. Andrews was elected to the U.S. House. In Congress, he became a leader on the Education and Labor Committee, concentrating his work on legislation affecting older Americans. He served until 1985, and then resumed practicing law, ending his career in Siler City.
His remains will be laid to rest beside the Bonlee Baptist Church, in the cemetery that his grandfather helped to establish and that his mother lovingly maintained.
The funeral will be held on Thursday, May 13 at 2:00 at Bonlee Baptist Church, Bonlee, Chatham County. Memorial contributions in Mr. Andrews’ memory might be made to UNC School of Law or UNC Hospice, 480 Hillsboro Street, Pittsboro.