Dora “Matt” Chandler

Published 6:32 pm Friday, April 28, 2017

Madeline Chandler, 95, left this world peacefully on April 27th at River Trace Nursing Center, where she had been since January 2016.

Dora Madeline “Matt” Lewis, born in July of 1921, grew up on the family farm in the Palmetto Swamp area of Craven County, and spent most of her life in the Vanceboro area of Craven County and the Wilmar community of Beaufort County. She had lived with her two youngest daughters for about 8 years, primarily with Marla in Pinetown, until declining health necessitated placement at River Trace Nursing Center. She was the only one of her siblings to graduate from Farm Life High School. She retired from the Beaufort County School System as a Chocowinity cafeteria worker after 17 years in 1983. Her favorite hobby was quilt-making. Her husband was a master carpenter and construction worker.

She was preceded in death by: her husband, Oscar W. Chandler; her parents, Dora Magaline Taylor Lewis and William Godfrey “Billy” Lewis; and all of her siblings: Ernest Lewis & wife Hilda, Earl Lewis & wife Dora, Raymond Lewis & wife Suzanne, Dan Lewis & wife Helen, Olin “Shorty” Lewis; and her best friend/cousin, Dorothy Taylor Yost.

She is survived by her four daughters: Dianne C. Adams and husband, Bobby of Chocowinity, Darlene Chandler, Elaine Chandler of Pinetops, Marla C. Jordan and husband, Robert of Pinetown; one grandson, Steve Adams of Chocowinity; 3 great grandchildren; and one sister-in-law, Jean Lewis.

Visitation will be at Paul Funeral Home & Crematory in Washington on Sunday, April 30th from 1-3 PM with a graveside service at 3 PM officiated by her nephew, Pastor Gary C. Lewis, at Washington’s Oakdale Cemetery.

Honorary pallbearers will be Steven Adams, Leo Lewis, Milton Lewis, Mayjack Lewis, Gary Lewis and Rob Lewis.

Online condolences may be offered to the family by visiting www.paulfuneralhome.com.

Paul Funeral Home & Crematory in Washington is honored to serve the Chandler family.