Earlene was the tenth of ten children born to Edward Smith and Lily Ophelia (Efner) Smith. She attended school in Diboll, and on December 26, 1960 she married her high school sweetheart, Jerry Chandler.
Earlene was gifted in many areas. She worked as a seamstress and at the Diboll handle factory. She made beautiful cakes for church functions, holidays, and birthdays, and she was a selfless caregiver. She also served as secretary at Burke Baptist Church for many years. Most of all, she loved being a mother to her four beautiful children - Peggy, Eric, Kim and Trudy.
Earlene was a Godly example to all who knew her. She put all her love and energy into her role of devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.
Family holiday gatherings brought Earlene great joy. She was a tremendous cook. Everyone eagerly anticipated her yeast biscuits, chicken and dumplings, and triple delight dessert. Earlene had a passion for creating tasty and memorable meals for her family and friends. Cooking and baking were among her favorite ways to uplift others and express her love. Indeed, Earlene was highly esteemed for her culinary skills; her grandkids were often caught competing over the last helping of triple delight! A fact that always gave Earlene a chuckle.
Earlene was preceded in death by her son, Kim Patrick Chandler; her daughter, Peggy Chandler Stapleton; her parents, Edward and Lily Ophelia Smith; her sisters, Violet Waltmon, Margarete Hales, Julia Ann Torbert and Betty Marie Smith; her brothers, Eugene Smith, Earl Smith, Earnest Smith and Franklin Smith; here sisters-in-law, Billie Christelle Smith, Florine Smith, Robbie Smith, and Helen Smith.
She is survived by her husband, Jerry Wayne Chandler of Diboll; her son Eric Lee Chandler and wife Lacey of Diboll; her daughter Trudy Wright and husband Randy of Huntsville; her son-in-law, Keith Stapleton of Livingston; her daughter-in-law, Lisa Chandler of Huntington; her sister, Mary Sue Shelton of Diboll; her sister-in-law Linda Hendry of Hudson; and by her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Family and friends will gather to celebrate Earlene's life on Monday, August 31st at Gipson Funeral Home in Lufkin. Visitation will be 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. with service to follow at 10:00 a.m.
