Reverend Anthony "Andy" Thomas Foley

Reverend Anthony “Andy” Thomas Foley, age 70, passed away at his home surrounded by family on November 24, 2023. Andy was born on August 2,1953 in Wilmington, NC and he grew up in Lumberton. He graduated from UNC at Chapel Hill, majoring in English, History, and Political Science. He met Christine “Chris” Colvin at UNC, and they later married in Raleigh, moved to Virginia Beach, VA, and then later settled in Fayetteville. They welcomed a son Matthew in 1983, and a daughter Laura in 1987.

  Andy and Chris served as active members of Snyder Memorial Baptist Church in Fayetteville for 23 years. Andy taught Sunday School for young adults and children, served as a Deacon, Director of the Men’s Ministry, and worked on various other committees. He was also an Adult Discipleship Teacher and worked with the Prison Ministry. The faith and friendships that Andy cultivated at Snyder shaped his life for years to come.

  Andy worked as an independent insurance adjuster for 28 years. He received the NC Adjuster of the Year Award in 1989. Throughout his long career, Andy felt a growing calling to ministry, and he closed his business in 2006 to take the leap. He received a Master of Divinity from Campbell University in 2010. Andy went on to serve faithfully as Pastor at Lemon Springs Baptist Church for 10 years before retiring.

  Andy enjoyed cooking delicious cuisine in copious portions and traveling on adventures to see his family and friends. To put it lightly, Andy was a precocious and voracious reader from early on and his curiosity and thirst for knowledge abounded for as long as he lived. Andy was a remarkable storyteller, and an even better listener.

  Andy was preceded in death by his parents EP Foley and Flora Foley Floyd and his sister Leisa Jordan, all of Lumberton. He is survived by his loving wife of 45 years, Chris Foley of Fayetteville, daughter Laura Hathorn and wife Mercer of Boone, son Matthew Foley and wife Gabrielle and their daughter Ella Paige of Raleigh. Andy cherished his precious granddaughter, Ella Paige, who called him “Papa”. He is also survived by his sister Patsy Bowen of Oklahoma City, OK; sister Myra Hamilton and husband Philip of Newport; and sister Rosemarie Wood of Swansboro.

  A memorial service will be held at Snyder Memorial Baptist Church in the chapel at 11am on Thursday, November 30, 2023. A visitation will be held prior to the service at 10am. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Duke Cancer Institute, Snyder Memorial Baptist Church or Lemon Springs Baptist Church.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Reverend Anthony "Andy" Thomas Foley, please visit our floral store.