Andrea Lavinia Conaway's Obituary
Andrea Lavinia Conaway was the beloved daughter of the late William “Russ” Conaway and Shirley Ann Taylor Conaway. Born May 8th, 1974, she was the baby of the family, a role she embraced with warmth, sincerity, and love. A true daddy’s girl, Andrea shared an especially close bond with her father, while her devotion to her mother was evident in every season of her life. In one of her most selfless acts of love, Andrea uprooted her life and teaching career in Georgia to return to Delaware to help her niece (Shakeira) care for her mother before her passing.
From childhood, Andrea’s life was filled with faith, music, and connection. She loved God deeply and expressed that love through singing, worship, and active church involvement. Music, concerts, the arts, and meaningful time with friends brought her great joy. Andrea cherished laughter, conversation, and fellowship, and her friendships were an essential part of her life.
Andrea was a proud graduate of Lake Forest High School and Lincoln University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in English Education in 1996. In 2023, she expanded her passion for holistic care by earning a Health and Wellness Coach Certificate through the Legacy Holistic Health and Wellness Institute.
Teaching was not just Andrea’s profession — it was her calling. She began her career at People’s Place as a Program Coordinator in 1998–1999 and later returned to Lake Forest High School, her alma mater, to begin her teaching journey. She went on to serve with the Dorchester County Board of Education, teaching reading and Unified Arts and contributing to curriculum design.
In 2002, Andrea made the courageous decision to move to Atlanta, where her passion for education, literacy, and curriculum development flourished. From 2004 to 2022, she taught English Literature and Composition, served as ELA Department Chair, mentored new teachers through alternative certification programs, and trained educators through district Common Core and literacy initiatives.
Along with her many loves, Andrea valued her relationships. Her students meant the world to her, and she took pride in watching them grow — academically and personally. She built lasting bonds with her students, mentees, coworkers, and fellow educators, offering guidance, encouragement, and unwavering support. Many knew her not only as a teacher but as a mentor, advocate, and safe place.
Andrea loved her nieces and nephews deeply, always making sure they were okay, offering wisdom, guidance, and advice — and she had plenty of it. Her love was steady, protective, and generous.
Andrea departed this life on January 7th, 2026, and was preceded in death by her paternal grandparents William Miller, Sara Lavinia Conaway, and Lula Perry Russ, maternal grandparents David Lynwood and Sarah Taylor, her parents William and Shirley Conaway; her brother, Vernon Conaway; her niece, Shamara Conaway; and her aunts and uncles, Priscilla Taylor-Snell, Sylvia “Jennie” Santiago, Dwight Taylor, Wanda Taylor, Catherine “Kitty” Taylor, and Robert Taylor, Marry Ellen, and Samuel Lee Russ. She was also preceded in death by her godparents, William L Sr. and Mary L Parker.
She leaves to cherish her memory her brother, Russell Conaway (Natishia) of Norfolk, Virginia; sisters-in-love Jill Robinson of Jefferson, Georgia; Sharon Conaway of Denton, Maryland; and Matred Conaway of Macon, Georgia; her nieces Shakeira Conaway of Harrington, Delaware; Christina Conaway of Jefferson, Georgia; Shaylen Conaway of Denton; Maryland and her nephews Ashton Conaway of Jefferson, Georgia, and Jeremiah Gadson of Macon, Georgia; her dear friends Carla Gibbs-Morton and Constance Lewis both of Atlanta, GA; three godsisters, Wanda L Parker, Maranda Thomkins and M. Christie Allen. Six god brothers, W. LeRoy, Marvin, Maurice Sr., Micah Parker, William "JayR" Reaves Jr., and Jimmie Allen. Along with a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.
Andrea’s legacy lives on through the countless lives she shaped with her faith, voice, wisdom, and love.
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