Julia Elizabeth (Rowe) Cason Andrews
Julia Elizabeth (Rowe) Cason Andrews, 87, widow of Renick Walter “R.W.” Andrews, Jr. of Staunton passed away Monday, November 3, 2025, at her residence.
Born on April 17, 1938, in Luthersville, GA, Elizabeth was the daughter of the late Robert Perry Rowe and Nancy Elizabeth (Strickland) Rowe.
She spent her childhood on her parents’ farm in Luthersville, GA, along with her ten sisters and brothers. A smart and inquisitive student, she was the valedictorian of her graduating class.
After moving to Atlanta, Elizabeth met and married a young Georgia Tech engineering student named (Basil) Elmo Cason. Elizabeth and Elmo enjoyed traveling the US, camping in their Rolite pop-up camper, and introducing their two children Patricia and Steve to the exploration of the natural beauty of our world. Elizabeth moved with her family to Staunton in 1970.
Years after Elmo’s passing, Elizabeth met and married R.W. Andrews. They enjoyed camping on the Skyline Drive, playing cards with local friends and attending Staunton Braves games.
While she enjoyed traveling across the US and internationally, Elizabeth never had an interest living anywhere other than Staunton, as she loved and served the community until her passing. She developed and nurtured friendships and connections through her active involvement in Memorial Baptist Church, community and school organizations, and staying active in her neighborhood. Elizabeth was the Memorial Baptist financial secretary for 30 years, a bookkeeper at Terry Court Drugs for 25 years, and a gardener at Cros-B-Crest Farm for 12 years. She also was a talented seamstress and quilter; taught quilting and smocking; acted as an Officer of Election for the Staunton Electoral Board for 18 years; participated as a runner in many Gypsy Hill 5K events, and supported every one of her children’s and grandchildren’s Staunton Public School events.
She is survived by her daughter Patricia Lynn (Cason) Heisdorffer and son-in-law Shawn; her son Steven Glenn Cason and daughter-in-law Stacy Dedinas; stepchildren: Marion (Andrews) Lyle and husband David; Ronald Andrews and wife Donna; Annette (Andrews) Protil; siblings and in-laws: Mary (McCulley) Rowe, Romeo Rowe and wife Donna, Edith Rowe, Barbara (Rowe) Read, Sue (Rowe) Echols, Marjorie (Cape) Rowe, and Shirley (Rowe) Huston; seven grandchildren: Kevin, Amanda, Jason, Lindsay, Emylee, Caleb, Joshua; eight great grandchildren: John David, Calla, Hunter, Waylon, Adeline, Piper Jane, Oak, and Emma; and numerous nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents and husband, Elizabeth was preceded in death by her first husband, Basil Elmo Cason; a son-in-law, Tim Protil; siblings and in-laws: Loretta Brown and husband Robert, R. Lee Rowe and wife Katie, Theo Rowe and wife Cathy, Leonard Rowe, Floyd Read, Cecil Echols, Jimmy Rowe, and Ray Houston.
A memorial service will be held Thursday, December 4, 2025, at 11:30 a.m. in Memorial Baptist Church by Pastor Todd Latham. While Elizabeth certainly loved gardening and flowers, it was her specific wish that donations be made to the Memorial Baptist Church – Educational Scholarship Fund, in lieu of flowers. Elizabeth said in her direct requests that she “will be watching”.
A private burial will take place at Oak Lawn Mausoleum and Memory Gardens.
Coffman Funeral Home and Crematory of Staunton is in charge of her arrangements.
Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.coffmanfuneralhome.net.
