Geraldine Chandler

Geri Chandler died on February 7, 2011, at the age of 90. Her love for the Lord, for music, for volunteering, and for her family, friends, and church gave her great joy and purpose during her life. Born on August 28, 1920, in Columbus, Ark., she soon moved with her family to Little Rock, Ark., where she grew up. After graduating from Little Rock Central High School in 1938, she received a B.A. from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, where she was a member of Tri Delta sorority. In 1957, she received a Master's Degree in Special Education from the University of Colorado in Boulder. During her 43 year teaching career that spanned six states and three countries, she taught in Arkansas, Washington, D.C., Maryland, Oklahoma, Colorado, California, Japan, France, and West Africa. When the 25 year old wife of Geri's brother, Hendrix, suddenly became totally blind due to an accident, Geri's compassion motivated her to become certified in teaching the blind. From that life turning point until her retirement in 1986, she taught blind and visually impaired students, preparing and inspiring them to live successful lives. Since Geri always believe in serving others, she immediately began volunteering in Little Rock, following retirement. She read the newspaper for the blind over the radio and tutored for the Literacy Action Program. The Oasis, Decorative Arts Museum, genealogy section of the public library, and the Arkansas Cancer Research Center were other places where Geri chose to give of herself and her time. She enjoyed creating needlework gifts, which she generously gave to friends. Touring in several overseas countries and taking elder hostel classes in the US were enlightening to Geri. She maintained season tickets to the Symphony and participated in weekly Life Quest studies. She was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma, a professional honorary society of women educators. She was active in the Westover Hills Presbyterian Church, serving as an elder, singing in the choir, studying in Bible classes, and participating in Presbyterian women's organizations. She is survived by a niece and her husband, Peggy and Neal Smith, of Pensacola, Fla., and by a nephew and his wife, Robert and Emiko Chandler of Henderson, Nev. Geri's memorial service will be held Sunday, May 1, 2011, at 2 p.m., at Westover Hills Presbyterian Church in Little Rock. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Westover Hills Presbyterian Church, 6400 Richard B. Hardie Dr., Little Rock, Ark. 72207. Special appreciation is given to the wonderful staffs at Homestead Village and Covenant Hospice in Pensacola, Fla., who cared for Geri during the last months of her life.