Tommye Chandler

Tommye Chandler, a lifelong resident of Marked Tree, passed away June 30 after a brief illness.  Born in 1943, "Miss Tommye" was a third generation resident of Marked Tree: she was the daughter of George and Mildred Louise Crowell, and the granddaughter of Millard Owen and Della Davis Weir, who were among the early settlers of the area and the founding members of the Marked Tree community.
Her husband, Dixon, a pillar of the community, preceded her in death in 2016. Her beloved brother John is a successful attorney in Columbus, MS. Her family owned and operated Schoenberger's Department Store on Main Street in Marked Tree, for 100 years.
Miss Tommye attended Marked Tree schools, active in the Brownies, Girl Scouts, Drama Club, and Band.  At Arkansas State University, she earned a B.S., continuing graduate studies in Social Work.
Miss Tommye was active in the Marked Tree community.  She actively supported her husband Dixon during his decades as member and president of the Marked Tree School Board.  When Dixon became Mayor of Marked Tree in 2010, Miss Tommye's children teased that she was now the "First Lady of Marked Tree."
She worked for many years with the Friends of the Library Club, the Marked Tree Historic Society, the Methodist Church Bereavement committee, the Food Pantry, and the Women's Progressive Club.
A gracious and humble lady, Miss Tommye lightened many a room with a sweet laugh and a devilish sense of humor.  She might have said she had "no time for foolishness," but the truth is she was always ready to listen, to lend an ear, or a shoulder to cry on. She loved old movies, their grace, their sophistication, their style.
Her greatest love was for her husband Dixon:  they were married for 51 years. But her greatest passion must have been her children.  She stressed the value of education, of respect and of love for family.  She was a guiding light for Dixon II, Mark, and Matt, who now have families of their own.
Her example in life taught us all to tell the truth, to be kind to others and animals, and above all, to cherish the ones we love.
She is survived by her brother John and his wife Carol, a niece Mollye and husband Glen, a dear cousin, Gini Lou, three sons, Dixon, Mark, and Matt, eight grandchildren, Katie, Luke, Noah, Sam, Ethan, Olivia, Violet and Ivy, and one great-grandson, Hudson. And four cats.

There will be a celebration of Tommye Chandler's Life, and of her Love for her family and friends, at the United Methodist Church in Marked Tree at 5:30 PM on Thursday, July 11, 2019.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial gifts to go to the Friends of the Library, the Food Pantry, or the animal shelter.