- 11144 Warwick Boulevard • Newport News, VA 23601
- Follow Us
Obituaries
Andrea Smith Schindler
Andrea Smith Schindler, 56, passed away on Saturday, March 23rd, 2024. She was born in Hazleton, Pennsylvania on October 14, 1967, to Ronald James Smith and the late Pamala Kay Smith.
Andrea met her husband, Steve Schindler, at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia. They were married on December 31, 1988 in Newport News, Virginia. Together they started their life in Dayton, Ohio, both working at Troy Christian School. After one year, they moved their family to Newport News, Virginia, where Andrea had grown up. They have now lived in Newport News for 35 years. They were blessed with two children during their first few years in Virginia: Stephen (October 1990) & Kimberlyn (December 1993).
Their world was shaken when Andrea was diagnosed with an aggressive form of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 1996. The prognosis was grim, but the Lord gifted her with a full remission after a 2-year battle. She was told that no additional children would be in her future. But as a surprise to everyone, 3 years later, the Lord gave her & Steve the precious gift of their last-born daughter, Caroline (April 2001).
Andrea was known for being fiercely committed to her family. She was her children’s biggest cheerleader and supporter, never missing an important moment and always ready to pick up the phone when they called. The love she had for her grandchildren was unmatched. The Lord gave us the gift of allowing her to meet her newest two grandbabies, both born in the two months prior to her passing. Andrea’s commitment to her family also extended to her mom, who passed away from multiple sclerosis in March 2000. Andrea brought her into her home and gave her end-of-life care around the clock for her last days here on this earth, honoring her in every way.
Andrea was also known and loved for her dedicated life of service in the realm of Education. She taught at Denbigh Baptist Christian School in Newport News, Virginia, for over two decades before following the Lord’s leading to start Kardia Educational Service this past fall. Andrea was an excellent educator in the classroom and cared deeply about her students’ academic growth and success. However, what she will be remembered for the most is the impact she had on her students outside of the classroom. She led dozens of Bible studies before school with hundreds of students over her years of teaching. She would most often be found meeting with students over her lunch or attending their many sporting events in her evenings. She was constantly working to meet the needs of her students, in and out of the classroom. She showed in her words and actions her commitment to sharing the Gospel with her students in an effort to produce heart-transformed servants of God to influence future generations. Her efforts impacted thousands.
She is survived by her father, Ronald James Smith; her husband, Steve Schindler; two daughters, Kimberlyn (Corbett) Casteen and Caroline (Titus Beeler) Schindler; one son, Stephen (Anna) Schindler; as well as her grandchildren, Caiden (5), Carter (3), Brooks (2), Ada (2 months), & Cooper (1 month). She is also survived by her siblings, Jay Smith, Lynn (Doug) Paredes, and Zack (Ashtyn) Smith. She was predeceased by her mother, Pamala Kay Smith.
A funeral service was be held at 9 AM on Wednesday, March 27th, 2024, at Liberty Live Church in Hampton.
21 Comments
So many wonderful memories from the high school years with our daughters!!
Her infectious smile & personality always stood out!
How important to have the assurance of our eternal home preparations through
the Lord Jesus Christ since we don’t know our time of home going!!!
She brought us a delicious meal when we had Covid; who would have thought
since we hadn’t kept in touch for quite a few years!! What a blessing!!
Our thoughts and prayers are with this dear family!!
May God’s love and grace fill your hearts and bring you peace in this time of sorrow. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. We are so sorry for your loss and offer our sincere condolences. May God grant you comfort and peace in the days ahead
You kindness and compassion will never be forgotten,
Andrea absolutely had a zest for life. She fiercely loved her husband and children, and many other family members. It was a pleasure to work alongside her in the Student Ministry at Liberty. My prayers are with you all during this difficult time. I am blessed to have known her, and without a doubt she is celebrating new life in Heaven.
I was so shocked and saddened to hear. We’ve known each other since we were young children, had our classes together at DBCS from 1st grade forward and graduated together in 1985. Prayers for her family.
My heart is so heavy for the family. Praying for you all. You all are in our hearts and prayers.
I was deeply saddened when I heard although I didn’t know her personally I feel like I knew her through Steve. My thoughts and prayers go out to Steve and the kids
You are in our thoughts and prayers. Caroline Grossman (Bell)
We are praying for your family. Andrea was a woman of God and an inspiration to so many. She had huge impacts on so many children and their futures. I know how your heart breaks right now with her leaving, but what a glorious place she is in now. I pray you find comfort in knowing she is spending eternal life in heaven.
Andrea’s smile was the first thing I always noticed. She was an example of a wonderful Christian lady in every way . She will be missed by so many people . I am very sorry for your loss!
I only knew Andrea for four years but within those four years I have gotten to know her and Steve during my years at Denbigh Baptist Christian school and I was shocked to hear that she had died. I will miss her but I know she is in a better place now.
As Tag preached at Brother Don’s funeral: Don’t hold her back; let her go; for why would we want to hold her back from her reward of beholding God’s glory?
Thank God for that reward; ESPECIALLY for Andrea. May the Lord bless you Steve; Shalom.
I knew Andrea as a classmate at DBCS for many years, we had lots of fun as kids and early teens. We enjoyed the Awanas, eating at Andy’s Pizza, the skating rink, slumber parties at her house and many Birthday parties. I also loved her Mom, Pam. I always enjoy memories of those early days at DBCS. Rest in peace my ole friend.
So sorry for your loss Schindler Family she will be missed sending prayers
Dear Steve & family,
My wife & I express our deepest sympathy & heartfelt condolences on your loss. We are praying for the family, may God’s grace strengthen and comfort you in your time of need. Also, I want to applaud Steve & Andrea for being strong believers of their Christian Faith. They have been a constant inspiration to many, within their family, in the community, and the work place. Thank you! 🙏🏽
Andrea was such a bright light and a breath of fresh air! We often wonder why God takes what we need to be here on earth to show us love and kindness and help us get through so much. I realize it’s not our place to ask why but to realize he put her as a star in the sky for all of us to look up to, and know, she watches over so many. Andrea forever be in our hearts thank God for the time she was here. Sending love and prayers to the family.
My first encounter with Andrea was at DBCS when we were both students in the early 80’s. I was a 7yr old second grader with a not-so-common name that felt like an oddball to the other girls with beautiful names sitting around me. One day, a beautiful, athletic, popular high schooler with the most amazing brown hair visited our classroom and the teacher introduced her WITH MY NAME. I was stunned that someone like her would have my name too. As if my name had somehow held me back from fulfilling my potential at 7yrs old, LOL. With that, my shoulders straightened, my innocent little thoughts about myself took a turn and I saw what I could be when I grew up. THEN she saw the name on my desk and she connected with me. She was so kind and I was seen. I wanted to be just like her. Not the beauty, not the athlete, (perhaps a little of that too) but the kind person that took a few precious moments to see a 2nd graders name, connect, and make her feel special. This is my greatest memory of Andrea, and if you question how far kindness extends, this story is 40 yrs old and when I hear OUR name, I think of her and the type of person I choose to be because of her. KIND. Thank you for the memories. My heart and prayers go to Steve and the family for continued comfort. Till we meet again Andrea.
I’m so sorry to hear of your loss. I will always remember Mrs. Schindler’s kindness. My family’s thoughts and prayers are with you all!
Dear Steve and family,
Deepest sympathies to all. Maureen and I were saddened to hear about your loss. May the thoughts and prayers of all those thinking of you give you comfort through this difficult time.
Merritt Mizelle
To the Schindler family: Andrea had a loving, kind spirit and our family will be forever grateful for her presence and example of Christian character for my son and his classmates at DBCS. May God’s comfort and His peace be with you in the coming days.
We are saddened to learn of Mrs. Shindler’s passing away. She was my grandson’s teacher at DBCS. She was one of our favorite teachers. I remember when one of her grand babies was born and she took him one evening to a sports event at DBCS and she was so much in love with her g-son. “Rest in Peace with God Mrs. Shindler.”