Nina Andrews

Nina Ruth Andrews (our Mother) was born on November 12, 1937 on Jennings Mountain in Logan County to Fannie Mae Manus Ryles and Clarence Ryles who both preceded her in death.

She and our father, Evans Charlie (Andy) Andrews married at a young age and became a team regardless of the miles that separated them over the years. She grew into a resilient, strong, caring and supportive Naval Officer’s Wife. Her home was always open, providing a place of comfort and support for young naval wives during fearful times of assassinations, missile crises and uncertainty. She endured the loneliness like most Naval wives while husbands were out to sea or on a mission. She learned to pivot quite well, moving (several times) 3000 plus miles without much notice, enrolling her children in a host of different schools, learning to navigate large cities all on her own.

At the end of our father’s naval career they moved to Fort Smith to be near aging parents. They then lived in the same house for over 50 years, never moving again. She was youth leader at our church, PTA Homeroom Mom, Brownie volunteer, seamstress, decorator, known for her delicious Mexican food, in other words a very conventional “stay at home” mom.

Our mother was beautiful, never aging. She loved her family fiercely, sometimes to a fault and loved her grandchildren beyond any earthy measure. Her career was her family and she never voiced if she felt that she had missed out on anything in life.

As time passed she sadly lost family members, whom she mourned greatly; however, greatest and most heartbreaking losses were of her husband, Andy and daughter, Sandy “Chan” Andrews Hulse and her husband Mike. She also lost four siblings she was very close to, Reginald C. Ryles, Billy Ryles and his wife (Wilma), Maurice “Reece” Ryles and Myrna Ryles Mathews and her husband Bill and nephew Dan Ryles.

Our mother had a long, full life; unfortunately disease brutally took her present thoughts and left her in the past with mostly just her memories. However, wonderful people surrounded her. Her best friend and “adopted cousin” T.J. Betenbough who visited everyday and would read Bible stories every morning. She loved her long time neighbors who checked on her regularly, Stan and Nancy, Judy, Kathy and Alan. She adored her caregivers Lamanda Griffin, Audrey Hayes, and Treasure Bias. Her Heart of Hospice team Brittany Allen and Tammy Hayes were also invaluable for her care and for her family’s sanity.

Our mom aka Nanny will be deeply missed by her brother Dwain Wilson Ryles, daughters, Debbie Andrews Kraus, Susan Leigh Andrews Smithson (Jim), eight grandchildren Sarah Kraus Rogers (Jason), Natalie Hulse, Casie Kraus Steele (Chad), Jessica Hulse, Christian Michael Hulse, Erick Glenn Smithson and Brook Metcalf, Alex Smithson and Grace Andrews and fiancé Jess Hankins. She also leaves behind eight great-grand children Andrew Hulse, Mia Jones, Maggie Jones, Caroline Jones, Sophie Halleran, Evan Charlie Jones, Allie Claire Rogers and Nathan Hulse, and many nieces and nephews.

Memorial Services will be at a later date at the National Cemetery in Fort Smith, AR under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home.

Online condolences may be sent to, www.edwardsfuneralhome.com