Olivia Andrews Obituary

Olivia Ramona Menefee Andrews died peacefully on August 4, 2025, in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. A family graveside service will be held Friday, August 8, 2025 at 11am at Hills Chapel Cemetery in Grady, Alabama.

Ramona was the President of RaCON, Inc. of Tuscaloosa for more than 30 years. She, along with her husband Benton and son Keith, formed RaCON, and it grew to be one of the leading civil construction firms in Alabama. RaCON employed hundreds of people and built roads, bridges, and building sites all across the Southeast.

Ramona was born on June 22, 1940, in south Montgomery County to Dorsey and Minnie Lee Menefee. She grew up in "the country" in Pine Level, Alabama with nine brothers and sisters: Doris, Dot, Clydie, Larry, Henry, Kenneth, Delano, Dorsey, and Wayne.

Ramona married Benton Andrews in 1957, while she was still in high school. They lived in multiple towns before settling in Tuscaloosa in 1973. Benton traveled around the state to work on road construction while Ramona continued her education and the raising of their son Keith and daughter Kris.

Ramona was always passionate about education and especially science. She studied at Troy State (now Troy University) and received her BS from the University of South Alabama where she also did her graduate work. She then did advanced graduate studies at the University of Mississippi in its School of Pharmacy. After the family moved to Tuscaloosa, Ramona tutored school children. She previously taught biology and chemistry at Huntington College and Trinity Presbyterian School.

Throughout her life, Ramona loved family gatherings. Family came from all around for her holiday meals at Struggle Hill Farms. She was legendary for her big breakfasts at the beach. Ramona enjoyed hosting family reunions at "the old home place" in Dublin, Alabama.

Ramona was preceded in death by her husband Benton, who died in 2020, and all but one of her siblings. Ramona is survived by her sister Clydie Fulton. Her son Keith and his wife Carol live in Tuscaloosa, AL. Keith has three children: Miller Andrews, of Brooklyn, NY; Olivia Bryant, of Birmingham, AL; and Ben Andrews, of Norman, OK. Ramona's daughter Kris Parker and her son Kyler Moore both live in Samantha, AL. Ramona has five great-granddaughters and one great-grandson.

The family thanks the nurses and staff at Hospice of West Alabama, Heritage Health Care & Rehabilitation and Seniors Prefer Homecare, for their loving care of Ramona.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to The DCH Foundation at 1110 Dr. Edward Hillard Drive, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401.