Mary B. Chandler

Mary Lee Ball Chandler, 94, a former resident of Chattanooga, died Thursday, February 11, 2016, at home in Cleveland, Tennessee.

Mary was born in Horse Cave, Kentucky, April 21, 1921 to Willie Lee Ball and Lucy Alice Tudor Ball. She was raised on a farm in Knob Lick, Kentucky, by her maternal grandparents, Princeton Parrish Tudor and Izora Alice Terry Tudor and her Aunt, Irene Tudor.  Her brother, Frank Clayton Ball was raised in nearby Wisdom, Kentucky, by their paternal grandparents, Alfred Everett Ball and Lucinda Frances Ball.  Her mother moved to Chattanooga to work as a business school teacher at Edmondson School of Business and later McKenzie Business School and supported the two families raising her children in Kentucky.  When they were of high school age, Frank and Mary joined their mother in Chattanooga to attend Baylor and Girls Preparatory School.

Mary married Jack William Chandler, June 30, 1942, at First Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Chattanooga. Jack was on leave from the Army Air Corp and their honeymoon was the road trip back to California where Jack completed his training.  For the remainder of World War II they lived in California and New Mexico where Jack instructed Basic and Advanced flying.  After the war, they made their way back to Chattanooga where they lived for the next fifty-five years.

Throughout her life Mary was a helpmate to her husband, Jack, who started as a corporate pilot with Kayo Oil Company and later became President. He presided over Kayo’s growth from 150 to 650 stations in 26 states.  She was a loving mother and grandmother, a passionate gardener who always had fresh flowers on her kitchen table and a great southern cook, who hosted every family holiday for years.  She was a founding member of the Blaney Forest Garden Club and later a member of the Signal Mountain Garden Club, once winning five blue ribbons in a federated garden show.  She played bridge with several groups, one of which, the First Wednesday Group, she played with more than 40 years.  Mary and Jack moved to Cleveland, Tennessee in 2001.

Her church family in Chattanooga was Central Presbyterian Church where she served as President of the Women of the Church. She and Jack were in a couples Sunday school class whose members became their best friends.  In Cleveland Mary found the same sense of belonging at Broad Street United Methodist Church.  Through their Fealty Class, Lunch Bunch and Red Hatters groups she found her new best friends.

Mary was predeceased by her husband of 60 years, Jack William Chandler; infant son, Jack William Chandler, Jr.; daughter, Helen Lucile Chandler; brother, Frank Clayton Ball.

She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Susan and Bob Card of Cleveland, TN; son, James William Chandler of Ooltewah, TN. Grandchildren:  Janet Allen (David Grimm) of Murfreesboro; Annette Thompson (Nakia) of Chattanooga; Robby Card (Jenny) of Cleveland, Sarah Moles (Eric) of Salt Lake City, UT; Ben Chandler (Kaiti) of Knoxville, TN and Paige Chandler (Jace Flatt) of Chattanooga.  Great Grandchildren:  Brandon Generazio, Kymberly Generazio, Hailey Gray, Jared Gray, Olivia Thompson, Kathryn Card, Anna Card, Hunter Card, David Moles, Charlotte Moles and Jace Flatt.

In her last years of failing health she was kept safe and comfortable by loving companions, Janene Wallace, Betty Ratledge, May Lou Allen, Tina Wallace, Rebecca and Jada Arthur. Special caregivers were Mary Ellen and Edwin McDaniel, who opened their hearts to Mary for over three years.

Funeral service will be at Broad Street United Methodist Church at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, February 16, 2016. Visitation will be at the church at 10:00 a.m. prior to the service.  Burial will be at Chattanooga National Cemetery at a later date.

Memorials may be made to Broad Street United Methodist Church, Po Box 3, Cleveland, Tennessee 37364.

Ralph Buckner Funeral Home and Crematory is in charge of the arrangements.

We invite you to send a message of condolence and view the Chandler family guestbook at www.ralphbuckner.com.