Jessie Woodruff Chandler

Evansville, Ind.

Jessie Woodruff (Crosby) Chandler passed away peacefully at her home at St. Anne's Terrace in Atlanta, Ga., on November 5, 2016. She was 97 years old.

Jessie was born in Adams, Tenn., on December 11, 1918, to Victorine and Howard Adam Crosby. She moved to Evansville, Ind., as a young girl and graduated from Reitz High School in Evansville in 1936. She married the love of her life, James Thomas (Jim) Chandler, on November 10, 1939. Jessie and Jim lived in Evansville until they moved to St. Anne's Terrace in 2004.

She was a long time member of Rolling Hills Country Club, Newburgh, Ind.,, where she played golf well into her 80s. Jessie and Jim were both accomplished dancers and were frequently the highlight of the dance floor. One of their favorite songs was "Bad Bad Leroy Brown" by Jim Croce and it was often played at gatherings in their honor. Jessie loved to entertain and was always the life of the party. She was also an accomplished cook. Jessie was most famous for her chocolate cake, and it was a high honor if you were lucky enough to receive one.

She is survived by her husband of 77 years, Jim; her daughter, Vicki Chandler Stallings (Ron), of Atlanta, Ga.; granddaughters, Courtnay Stallings Leach (Andrew), Athens, Ga., and Claire Stallings Bowles (Dillon), Charlotte, N.C.; grandson, Ryan Crosby Stallings (Carrie), Dunwoody, Ga.; and nine great-grandchildren.

She was predeceased by her parents; and her five elder siblings, Ralph Crosby, Howard Crosby, Lucille Tolleson, Sarah Kahn and Audrey Kuhlenschmidt.

The family wishes to express their appreciation to the caregivers of Trimark Health Services, particularly Valerie Franklin, for their help and support over the past several years.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date with burial at Alexander Memorial Park, Evansville, Ind. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Anne's Terrace, 3100 Northside Parkway, Atlanta, GA 30327, or to a charity of choice. Online condolences may be expressed at www.csog.com.

Alexander Memorial Park Burial Location: Garden Of Devotion, Lot 743, Space 4