LaDonia K Chandler died peacefully at her Spencer home on Jun 4, 1995, a descendant of 1889 pioneers. She was born in Spencer, OK, on Oct 5, 1912, to John Henry (Harry) and Delioria (Della) Pebley Coffman, the fourth of five children. LaDonia lived in Spencer almost all of her life, maintaining a home with a welcoming open door.
Her joys included gardening, crafts, local history, teaching, and family. She was a 1932 graduate of Central High School and attended the University of Oklahoma with her two sisters, Lois and Leli Ann. As a young woman, she worked in retail sales for Wrackers in Perry, OK, St. Louis, Mo., and Chicago, Il. On Aug 13, 1937, she married Charlie F Chandler in Marietta, OK. LaDonia and Charlie made Spencer their permanent home, and in 1947 they established the Chandler Dairy at NE 63rd and Douglas Blvd.
Square dancing was a primary source of entertainment for LaDonia dn Charlie for more than two decades. They made many lifelong friendships during their years as members of the Pioneer Swingsters.
After selling their farm in 1948, LaDonia returned to retail sales and worked for Davis Stores and Lerners in OKC. In the late 1960s, she became a substitute elementary teacher and enjoyed frequent assignments at Spencer Elementary and Star Elementary schools. Her work in the classroom was simply an extension of the many years of active participation in PTA, 4-H Club advisor, and homeroom mother.
Having joined the Jones City Chapter 499 Order of the Eastern Star in 1957, LaDonia and Charlie became Worthy Matron and Worthy Patron in 1961. LaDonia later was appointed as Grand Representative and enjoyed many years traveling the state and throughout the country.
After retiring, LaDonia and Charlie served as the Saturday volunteer guides at the 1889 Harn Museum for over 14 years. Attired in period costumes and knowledgeable of the pioneer history of their ancestors, they became a well-known attraction and enjoyed tremendous popularity as guest speakers at elementary and middle schools throughout the state. In 1990, they became the Saturday volunteer guides for the Spencer Museum when it opened, and both continued their work until the time of their demise.
LaDonia was a lifelong member of the Spencer United Methodist Church. She was a charter life member of the Spencer Historical Society, a member of the 1889ers Society, the Central High School Alumni Assn, the Golden Agers, and Jones City Chapter 499 OES.
LaDonia was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, Robert and Paul, two sisters, Lois Webb and Leli Ann Chandler, an adopted son, William Dewayne, and her husband of over 55 years.
She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law Linda and Stephen Verges; granddaughter and grandson-in-law Michelle and Jason Verges-Jones; six nephews, including USAF Lt Col (Ret) John W Chandler; grand nephew; four nieces; foster son, Edgar Marshall; foster grandsons; seven foster great grandchildren; and a multitude of cousins and friends who enjoyed and thrived in the limitless love given by this petite lady with an enormous and caring heart during her long and full life.
Her joys included gardening, crafts, local history, teaching, and family. She was a 1932 graduate of Central High School and attended the University of Oklahoma with her two sisters, Lois and Leli Ann. As a young woman, she worked in retail sales for Wrackers in Perry, OK, St. Louis, Mo., and Chicago, Il. On Aug 13, 1937, she married Charlie F Chandler in Marietta, OK. LaDonia and Charlie made Spencer their permanent home, and in 1947 they established the Chandler Dairy at NE 63rd and Douglas Blvd.
Square dancing was a primary source of entertainment for LaDonia dn Charlie for more than two decades. They made many lifelong friendships during their years as members of the Pioneer Swingsters.
After selling their farm in 1948, LaDonia returned to retail sales and worked for Davis Stores and Lerners in OKC. In the late 1960s, she became a substitute elementary teacher and enjoyed frequent assignments at Spencer Elementary and Star Elementary schools. Her work in the classroom was simply an extension of the many years of active participation in PTA, 4-H Club advisor, and homeroom mother.
Having joined the Jones City Chapter 499 Order of the Eastern Star in 1957, LaDonia and Charlie became Worthy Matron and Worthy Patron in 1961. LaDonia later was appointed as Grand Representative and enjoyed many years traveling the state and throughout the country.
After retiring, LaDonia and Charlie served as the Saturday volunteer guides at the 1889 Harn Museum for over 14 years. Attired in period costumes and knowledgeable of the pioneer history of their ancestors, they became a well-known attraction and enjoyed tremendous popularity as guest speakers at elementary and middle schools throughout the state. In 1990, they became the Saturday volunteer guides for the Spencer Museum when it opened, and both continued their work until the time of their demise.
LaDonia was a lifelong member of the Spencer United Methodist Church. She was a charter life member of the Spencer Historical Society, a member of the 1889ers Society, the Central High School Alumni Assn, the Golden Agers, and Jones City Chapter 499 OES.
LaDonia was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, Robert and Paul, two sisters, Lois Webb and Leli Ann Chandler, an adopted son, William Dewayne, and her husband of over 55 years.
She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law Linda and Stephen Verges; granddaughter and grandson-in-law Michelle and Jason Verges-Jones; six nephews, including USAF Lt Col (Ret) John W Chandler; grand nephew; four nieces; foster son, Edgar Marshall; foster grandsons; seven foster great grandchildren; and a multitude of cousins and friends who enjoyed and thrived in the limitless love given by this petite lady with an enormous and caring heart during her long and full life.
LaDonia K Chandler died peacefully at her Spencer home on Jun 4, 1995, a descendant of 1889 pioneers. She was born in Spencer, OK, on Oct 5, 1912, to John Henry (Harry) and Delioria (Della) Pebley Coffman, the fourth of five children. LaDonia lived in Spencer almost all of her life, maintaining a home with a welcoming open door.
Her joys included gardening, crafts, local history, teaching, and family. She was a 1932 graduate of Central High School and attended the University of Oklahoma with her two sisters, Lois and Leli Ann. As a young woman, she worked in retail sales for Wrackers in Perry, OK, St. Louis, Mo., and Chicago, Il. On Aug 13, 1937, she married Charlie F Chandler in Marietta, OK. LaDonia and Charlie made Spencer their permanent home, and in 1947 they established the Chandler Dairy at NE 63rd and Douglas Blvd.
Square dancing was a primary source of entertainment for LaDonia dn Charlie for more than two decades. They made many lifelong friendships during their years as members of the Pioneer Swingsters.
After selling their farm in 1948, LaDonia returned to retail sales and worked for Davis Stores and Lerners in OKC. In the late 1960s, she became a substitute elementary teacher and enjoyed frequent assignments at Spencer Elementary and Star Elementary schools. Her work in the classroom was simply an extension of the many years of active participation in PTA, 4-H Club advisor, and homeroom mother.
Having joined the Jones City Chapter 499 Order of the Eastern Star in 1957, LaDonia and Charlie became Worthy Matron and Worthy Patron in 1961. LaDonia later was appointed as Grand Representative and enjoyed many years traveling the state and throughout the country.
After retiring, LaDonia and Charlie served as the Saturday volunteer guides at the 1889 Harn Museum for over 14 years. Attired in period costumes and knowledgeable of the pioneer history of their ancestors, they became a well-known attraction and enjoyed tremendous popularity as guest speakers at elementary and middle schools throughout the state. In 1990, they became the Saturday volunteer guides for the Spencer Museum when it opened, and both continued their work until the time of their demise.
LaDonia was a lifelong member of the Spencer United Methodist Church. She was a charter life member of the Spencer Historical Society, a member of the 1889ers Society, the Central High School Alumni Assn, the Golden Agers, and Jones City Chapter 499 OES.
LaDonia was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, Robert and Paul, two sisters, Lois Webb and Leli Ann Chandler, an adopted son, William Dewayne, and her husband of over 55 years.
She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law Linda and Stephen Verges; granddaughter and grandson-in-law Michelle and Jason Verges-Jones; six nephews, including USAF Lt Col (Ret) John W Chandler; grand nephew; four nieces; foster son, Edgar Marshall; foster grandsons; seven foster great grandchildren; and a multitude of cousins and friends who enjoyed and thrived in the limitless love given by this petite lady with an enormous and caring heart during her long and full life.
Her joys included gardening, crafts, local history, teaching, and family. She was a 1932 graduate of Central High School and attended the University of Oklahoma with her two sisters, Lois and Leli Ann. As a young woman, she worked in retail sales for Wrackers in Perry, OK, St. Louis, Mo., and Chicago, Il. On Aug 13, 1937, she married Charlie F Chandler in Marietta, OK. LaDonia and Charlie made Spencer their permanent home, and in 1947 they established the Chandler Dairy at NE 63rd and Douglas Blvd.
Square dancing was a primary source of entertainment for LaDonia dn Charlie for more than two decades. They made many lifelong friendships during their years as members of the Pioneer Swingsters.
After selling their farm in 1948, LaDonia returned to retail sales and worked for Davis Stores and Lerners in OKC. In the late 1960s, she became a substitute elementary teacher and enjoyed frequent assignments at Spencer Elementary and Star Elementary schools. Her work in the classroom was simply an extension of the many years of active participation in PTA, 4-H Club advisor, and homeroom mother.
Having joined the Jones City Chapter 499 Order of the Eastern Star in 1957, LaDonia and Charlie became Worthy Matron and Worthy Patron in 1961. LaDonia later was appointed as Grand Representative and enjoyed many years traveling the state and throughout the country.
After retiring, LaDonia and Charlie served as the Saturday volunteer guides at the 1889 Harn Museum for over 14 years. Attired in period costumes and knowledgeable of the pioneer history of their ancestors, they became a well-known attraction and enjoyed tremendous popularity as guest speakers at elementary and middle schools throughout the state. In 1990, they became the Saturday volunteer guides for the Spencer Museum when it opened, and both continued their work until the time of their demise.
LaDonia was a lifelong member of the Spencer United Methodist Church. She was a charter life member of the Spencer Historical Society, a member of the 1889ers Society, the Central High School Alumni Assn, the Golden Agers, and Jones City Chapter 499 OES.
LaDonia was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, Robert and Paul, two sisters, Lois Webb and Leli Ann Chandler, an adopted son, William Dewayne, and her husband of over 55 years.
She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law Linda and Stephen Verges; granddaughter and grandson-in-law Michelle and Jason Verges-Jones; six nephews, including USAF Lt Col (Ret) John W Chandler; grand nephew; four nieces; foster son, Edgar Marshall; foster grandsons; seven foster great grandchildren; and a multitude of cousins and friends who enjoyed and thrived in the limitless love given by this petite lady with an enormous and caring heart during her long and full life.
Gravesite Details
Double headstone w/ Charlie F. Chandler
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
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