Andrew Wartts

Andrew Wartts was born on April 19, 1942 to Charlie (deceased) and Lillie Mae Wartts (deceased) in Greenville, MS. He was the first born of a family of seven children, including three sisters Bobbie Jean, Rosie (deceased), and Patricia (deceased) and three brothers Eddie, Charles, and Joseph. 

He graduated from Vashon High School in 1960 and briefly attended Washington University before realizing his desire to commit to four life-long passions: serving God, loving and supporting his family, perfecting his talent as a salesman, and spreading the word of God through original music and Biblical anecdotes where ever he was present.

By age 28, he married Doristine--his one and only love--whom he shared more than 50 years of his life with in marriage. Their union produced three sons: Andre, Brian and Christopher, and one daughter, Adrienne.

By the early 1980s, not only was Andrew a salesman who proudly provided for his family, he was a business owner who defined his own path toward success, which included four elements: faith, exceptional interpersonal communication skills, mastery of vocabulary, and an infectious sense of humor. Not only did his ingenuity enable him to comfortably take care of a family of six on a single income during a time in history that was more complex for many black men to navigate than it is today, it allowed him to consistently dote upon his family with undeniable and unconditional love.

At the peak of his sales career, he was called by God and influenced by his beloved mother, Lillie Mae, to become what he coined as "a gospel storyteller." He began composing original lyrics for his debut album There is a God Somewhere by Andrew Wartts and The Gospel Storytellers. The compilation features his childhood friend Earl Wright (deceased) as well as his eldest son Andre on lead, rhythm and bass guitars. The album, which has been referred to by some as "the Holy grail of gospel albums," was remastered in 2012 in celebration of its 30th anniversary. 

By realizing his dreams of excelling as a businessman, successfully raising a family, and producing a musical masterpiece that is listened to and sampled from all over the globe today, Andrew demonstrated what he often shared with family and friends in conversation: "All it takes is faith. If you pray to God in the name of Jesus, and believe, then He shall bring it to pass!"

Beyond a lifelong commitment to work and his family, Andrew gained much joy from arranging and performing gospel music with his brothers at family gatherings as well as a host of friends and relatives during his travels. 

Through faith, Andrew brought everything he desired to come to fruition--for his wife Doris, whom he adored, and his children, which he unquestionably cared for with generosity, grace, and the intercession that a father naturally gives simply because he loves.

Andrew is survived by his wife Doristine and their children Andre, Brian, Adrienne, and Christopher; his granddaughter Lea; his sister Bobbie Jean (David; deceased); and his brothers Charles (Gleevia), Eddie (Cheryl), and Joseph (Alicia).

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