Willa Chandler

In loving memory of Willa Mae Chandler, 92, who passed away on December 17, 2018.
Willa was born December 16, 1926 in Needville, Texas. She spent the majority of her life in Tuleta, Texas, where she met the love of her life, Grady Chandler.
Willa graduated from Pleasanton High and attended Southwest Texas State in San Marcos before marrying Grady Chandler on October 6, 1946.
She worked as an operator for Southwestern Bell, the Commissary Manager for the South Texas Children's Home, then followed in her mother's and aunt's footsteps as the Postmaster for Tuleta. She worked with the local post office for over 31 years.
Willa was very active in the community. She loved her town of Tuleta and was very proud of her Mennonite heritage; and that her uncle, Peter Unzicker, had come to the area to purchase the land that became Tuleta, Texas. She had a beautiful soprano voice that she shared by singing in the choir. She also performed solos at the Pettus United Methodist Church as well as performing at school functions, weddings and funerals. She served as PTO President, Athletic Booster President and Band Boosters President at Pettus ISD for many years while her children were in school. She was very creative and used her talents in creating elaborate decorations for many functions; she loved to throw a party. During her last years at home, she was a member of the Red Hat Club in Beeville, it gave her great joy to dress up and have fellowship with these ladies.
She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Henry Graydon "Grady" Chandler; her parents, Viola Unzicker Atkinson and John T. Atkinson; her brother, John T. "Bubs" Atkinson, Jr. and wife Barbara; her sisters, Jeannette Atkinson and Amelia Atkinson Porta; and son-in-law, Joey Diaz.
Willa is survived by her sister, Loretta Atkinson Ducey; her son, Grady Chandler, Jr. (Elaine); her daughters, Connie Sugarek (Steve), P.K. Fletcher (Joseph) and Roxanne Diaz (Wendell Smith); grandchildren, Christopher Chandler (Rosalie), Michelle Moore (Scott), Charles Denton, Temple Fletcher, Julianna Chandler, Michelle Chandler and Reagan Diaz; and great-grandchildren, Savannah Chandler, Caleb Chandler, Arianne Denton and Amelia Denton.
A celebration of Willa Mae's life will begin on Thursday, December 20, with visitation from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Galloway & Sons Funeral Home in Beeville, Texas.
A luncheon will be provided by Pettus United Methodist Church at 11:00 a.m. Friday, December 21, 2018, followed by a service at 12:30 p.m. Reverend Kristie Crisp will officiate the service. Burial will follow at Glenwood Cemetery in Beeville, TX.
Pallbearers will be Joseph Fletcher, Nelson Chandler, Kenneth Chandler, Caleb Chandler, Charles Denton, Dale DuBose and Wendell Smith.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Pettus United Methodist Church.

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