Wilma Chandler

Wilma Louise (Walters) Chandler was born to Francis and Ruth Walters on September 26, 1928. Educated in Voca (Go Toughs!) and Brady, Texas Wilma was a child of the Depression who came of age in World War II-rationed America. To make ends meet during her late teens and early 20s she car-hopped at a local drive-in, jerked sodas at City Drug, while supplementing that income as a self-employed seamstress.

Wilma met future husband Don Chandler at a birthday party for a mutual friend. He then, according to Wilma, became a regular customer at the aforementioned drive-in and they married in 1952. From 1953-1979 the couple lived in Galveston, Texas City, and Alvin working in the newspaper business for the Galveston Daily News and the Texas City Daily Sun before becoming co-owners of the Alvin Advertiser.

The Chandlers had endured the messy clean-up of a flooded Texas City home during Hurricane Carla in 1961, so after their home in Alvin flooded during a 1979 tropical storm, they had had enough of the Texas Gulf Coast, sold their newspaper interests, and moved inland to Brenham. While Don spent the next 14 years as assistant publisher of the Brenham Banner-Press, Wilma was often employed proofreading and preparing the paper for delivery.

Wilma was a talented painter and a superb seamstress. She made dolls for mothers of new-borns, painted safari scenes on ostrich eggs and animal faces on rocks. Mostly, however, she was a faithful Christian, loving wife, devoted mother, and dependable friend.

Wilma was preceded in death by her husband Don, sisters Adell, Normalee, and Margie, and grandson Stephen. She is survived by her daughter Aleda Born as well as many nieces and nephews whose frequent visits Wilma always treasured.

Visitation with the family will be from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, October 21 at Brenham Church of Christ, 2800 Victory Ln, Brenham. The funeral service will begin at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, October 21 at Brenham Church of Christ. Burial will follow in Prairie Lea Cemetery.