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Williamsburg Funeral Home
Williamsburg Funeral Home
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12/06/1938 – 03/22/2020
Kingstree
Funeral Services
In accordance with recommendations set forth by the State of South Carolina and the CDC regarding COVID-19, the family has chosen to have a private graveside service and will announce a memorial service for Mr. Don at a later date. Please feel free to use our online register book to leave a message for the Chandler family.
Memorials
Memorials may be made to the Williamsburg Presbyterian Church, 411 North Academy Street, Kingstree, SC 29556, or McLeod Hospice, PO Box 100551, Florence, SC 29502-0051.
Don Royal Chandler, 81, went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on Sunday morning, March
22, 2020, passing away most peacefully at the McLeod Hospice House after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease.
Mr. Chandler was born December 6, 1938, in his hometown of Lane, SC, the youngest son of the late Alvin Laurence and Janie Belle Royal Chandler. He was a 1956 graduate of Kingstree High School. Upon graduation, Mr. Chandler’s career began at Thomas Ford Motor Company of Kingstree as a parts salesman, where he first saw his beloved wife of 56 years, Bertha Ann, when she came in to make her car payment. He left this job to become an auto mechanic and co-owner of Chandler’s Garage for over 37 years where he worked harmoniously with his brother, together serving Lane as well as the surrounding communities. In 1994, Mr. Chandler became a shop mechanic/transporter with the SC Department of Transportation from which he retired after 12 years. Don was a life-long and “All In” Clemson fan who looked forward to every football season for the fun rivalries. Mr. Chandler was an active elder, deacon, and Sunday School superintendent of his hometown Lane Presbyterian Church until it was closed in 1996. He, along with his family, then transferred membership to Williamsburg Presbyterian Church, where he was also a long-time elder. Don was a member of the Berean Sunday School class, the Men’s Morning breakfast group and former chair of the Evangelism & Service committee. Through this committee, he coordinated and helped served the Blessed Angela meals to those less fortunate. Upon his retirement, Don continued his lifelong ministry of service to others through his visits to shut-ins and nursing home residents until he became physically unable. When his Parkinson’s disease progressed, Don became an assisted living resident of The Methodist Manor and later as a skilled care resident of The Heritage Home, both in Florence, SC. In these communities, Don pressed onward with his true life’s calling—being God’s disciple, sharing his light and love to all he encountered even until his last earthly breath.
Surviving to love and cherish the precious memories of this good, faithful, disciple of God and servant are: his wife, Bertha Ann Ard Chandler of the home; his daughters, Donna Marie C. (Johnny) White, of Kingstree; Elizabeth Ann C. (Brian) Wieber, of Davidson, NC; his two granddaughters, Chandler Louise White and Caroline Elizabeth Wieber; and many nieces and nephews. Don also had special friends he considered family, Anne and Daniel (Danny) Caison of Kingstree, SC. Mr. Chandler was predeceased by his parents and brother, Alvin Laurence Chandler, Jr.
A private committal service for Mr. Chandler’s immediate family will be held in Kingstree Memorial Gardens. A memorial worship and celebration of his life will be announced at a later date.
Memorials may be made to the Williamsburg Presbyterian Church, 411 North Academy Street, Kingstree, SC 29556, or McLeod Hospice, PO Box 100551, Florence, SC 29502-0051.
The family wishes to express our gratitude for the love and support shown to us by so many. A special thanks to the staff of The Manor, Heritage Home, and McLeod Hospice for the loving care provided to Don throughout this journey. We thank God with every remembrance of you.
Online condolences may be sent to the family on the obituary page at www.WilliamsburgFuneralHome.com.
Bertha Ann and extended family of yours and Mr. Chandler-I am saddened to learn of the passing yesterday of your husband, Don. I trust the Lord will guide all the Chandler Family at this passage and know what our Savior has promised us.
With Blessings, Always,
Cousin Ron
My true condolences to the family! As stated in his obituary, Don was a very sincere and caring person. It was my blessing to have known him as a friend and to work with him on the Session of Williamsburg Presbyterian Church.
I know he is at home with his Savior Jesus Christ in heaven and feeling the relief of being healthy and vibrant once again!
May God put his arms around the family and give each of you a big hug and know you are being surrounded with love at this time!
Very Truly
David McCutchen
Our deepest sympathy to Bertha Ann and her family. We always enjoyed seeing Mr. Don and his friendly, caring smile. He was well loved and will truly be missed.
Sorry for your loss may God comfort you with his peace and love he will surely be missed
Bertha Ann, Donna, Elizabeth-Ann & families,
You all know how much Don has been an inspiration to so many who have come to love him over the years. His faith was evident in every step he took to shine a light on God’s word. I remember as a little girl thinking I hope to marry a man one day who has a disposition just like my brother-in-law. He will forever be missed, but the precious memories you hold dear in your heart will carry you through with such comfort. We love you!
I am so sorry to hear this! Mr. Don was such a loving and caring person! I first came to know him thru SCDOT. I had the pleasure of just listening to his wisdom and him sharing his faith with others! Mr. Don will be truly missed by all who came into contact with him. My condolences to his family and friends. RIP Mr. Don. You are in the presence of God.
Bertha Ann, I will be praying for you and your family at this time. May God bless you and give you peace and comfort during the days ahead. Don was a fine person.
Those pearly gates of Heaven surely opened wide to receive Don, one of our Lord’s most faithful servants. Don had the rare privilege of lavish family love and complete respect by all who knew him. He was always available to help our family, his neighbors and friends with his gentle sense of humor. Don was always a genuine Southern gentleman & a Godly man!
Bertha Ann and family, I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Donna and family, I was deeply saddened to hear of Mr. Don’s passing. All of us at the DOT thought a lot of him. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this time.
Sincerely
Buddy Ward
Mr. Don truly loved the LORD, his family and friends and we can not forget CLEMSON too!
He was a blessing to many with his kind words and soft smiles.
Prayers for the family in the days ahead.
Dear Bertha Ann, Donna Marie, Elizabeth Ann, and families, We are so sorry about the loss of dear Don. He was the kindest brother-in-law and we will forever miss his wise and steady counsel. We wish we could be there in person to grieve with you, but know that we are there with you in spirit. All our love, Aubrey and Janie
I grew up in the Lane area and the Chandler family were a quality group of people. Mrs Chandler ran the business with the help of Lawrence and Don. The station was a gathering place for all in the community and I always stopped there to see the Chandlers and most of the other people in town. Don and Lawrence were always very nice and good mechanics but it is a wonder that they got work done with all the visitors there. It was a time long past in that area but I am thankful that I was able to be part of it. Very much like Mayberry on television.
Our sympathies to his family and I know they appreciate his time with them. He was truly a very nice and kind person.
What a blessing it was to have known Don and called him a good friend. He and Bertha were great neighbors, and although a Tiger fan, he was pretty special! Prayers are going out to his family; he was blessed to have such a loving and supportive wife and daughters.
Deepest condolences to the family. The Chandler brothers both have done repairs on my car through the years. Very nice and respectable men. Heaven has gained another Angel.
Bertha Ann, Donna Marie and Elizabeth Ann: All of us who knew Don feel that it was a tremendous blessing to have had such a gentle soul in our lives. Now we have the wonderful memories of his soft smiles, calm demeanor and kind deeds. We pray that your many joyous memories of Don will warm your hearts and give you comfort in the days ahead. Love, Phyllis and Dennis
Ms Bertha Ann, Donna and Elizabeth Ann, we are so sorry to hear of Mr. Dons’s passing. He was a very Godly man and always so good to people. Prayers to you and your family.
Mrs. Bertha Ann, Donna, Johnny, Elizabeth Ann, and family My family and I are keeping you in our prayers. Much love.
Deb Farmer
Bob and I were so sorry to hear about Don’t! He was a great person! Our prayers and thoughts are with all his family!
Dear Bertha Ann – We were so sorry to hear of your loss of Don, your beloved. We will keep you in our prayers.
Love,
Nancy and Ervin McBride
Bertha Ann , You ,Your Family and loved ones are in my Prayers. I have wondered about the Chandler Brother over the years. I lived in Lane for a short while back in 1969 and worked there for Mr Carter at the Coca Cola plant. The Brothers always took the time to talk to Me and discuss mechanical issues with my car and helped Me out several times . Great Guys and an inspiration for Us younger hot rod kids. It seemed that He always had time for His customers. I can still see Him coming out of the Garage wiping His hands on a grease rag to help me. Prayers be with You .
The family is in our thoughts & prayers. Mr. Don will be missed at Heritage. He was such a sweet man.
The Huggins Family
I am sorry for our loss and may God bless the family. I know Mr. Don and my dad, Kenneth Kennedy, have a lot of catching up to do.
Our prayers are with all the family.
Mrs. Bertha & Donna
We are so sorry to hear about Mr. Don…please know you are in our prayers!!
Bertha Ann and family, I was sorry to read about Don’s death. This was such a beautiful obituary for a life well lived. Sadly present circumstances that do not allow getting together with friends during these sad times. You are in our thoughts and prayers now and as you approach the difficult days ahead.days ahead.
Sending God’s love to the Chandler Family. Growing up in Lane, the Station was a fixture and the hub of the town’s recent events! Bertha, please know that you are in our prayers!
Just want your family to know our prayers go out to you in the passing of Don. May God comfort your hearts. We love all of you very much!