Clara Jean Chandler

She was born on May 17, 1938, in Kansas City, Missouri, to Eugene W. Vogel and Clara (Felder) Vogel. As a very young child she lived in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, but spent most of her childhood in Kansas City, where she attended elementary through high school, and pursued her studies in Education at the University of Missouri-Kansas City.

Clara's life journey took her to various places, including Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Ohio, before she settled in North Florida in 1978. She made Tallahassee her home in 1984. Her primary love was raising her three children, yet she also pursued work beyond her role at home. In her early years, Clara worked in a clothing boutique in Kansas City and even modeled the store’s fashions at an event hosted by Russell Stover (of Russell Stover Candies), perhaps sparking her love of chocolate. She served as a manager at a Missouri telephone company, and then in Pennsylvania, she worked again for a telephone company in customer service. She volunteered for many years with the Meals on Wheels program and was a tutor with the Literacy Volunteers of Leon County.

She enjoyed playing Bridge with friends, spending time at the beach, crocheting, sewing, working puzzles, celebrating together with family, and was an avid FSU baseball fan. A favorite among her numerous crafts was creating elaborate, intricately cut, beaded, jeweled eggs. She also loved hosting Thanksgiving dinner, particularly baking pies (often a dozen or more) with her grandchildren.

Clara is survived by her three children, Jean Jester (Clay), Traci Jones (Pat), and Mark Chandler (Stephanie); six grandchildren, Logan Jester (Kelsey), Roxanne Jester VerHulst (Zack), Victoria “Tori” Jones, Alexandra “Lexi” Jones, Dylan Chandler, and Laura Chandler; and one great-grandchild, Sloane Jester.

Arrangements are being provided by Culley’s MeadowWood Funeral Home in Tallahassee. A private memorial with immediate family will be scheduled at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating books to your local library or volunteering for an organization meaningful to you. Clara would also love you to cheer on FSU’s Baseball Team next season. And most importantly, she would want you to spend time with your loved ones.