Dovie Mae Pack Chandler - 1912-2007
Dovie Mae Pack Chandler went home to be with her Lord on Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2007, at the home of her son in Ashland, Ky.
Dovie was born April 22, 1912, the seventh child of Rhoderick Stanton and Mary Ida O’Brien Pack in Charley in Lawrence County, Ky.
In addition to her parents, she was also preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, Mitchell Chandler; three children, Eula Fern, James Leon and Howard Lynn Chandler; three brothers, Ervin, Thomas and Laudie Pack; and eight sisters, Liddy Hays, Elizabeth Daniels, Hazel Scarberry, Inas Cullums, Irene Pack, Christina LeMaster, Madaline Hayes and Louise Pack; and a grandson, Joseph Lynn Chandler.
Dovie is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Jack and Sharon Chandler, with whom she had resided for the past several years; a granddaughter, Debbie Smith; a grandson, Chris Chandler and wife Kelli Ann; three great-grandchildren, Ian Mikel Smith, Joshua David Chandler and Angela Renee Chandler; a sister-in-law, Betty Daniel Pack; and numerous nieces and nephews, some who considered their “Aunt Dovie” a second mom.
Dovie had been a Christian since her teen years. She was a member of First Church of God in Ashland, where she served her Lord for more than 60 years. She and Mitchell always loved and supported their pastors. Many Sundays after church, the pastor and his family were invited home with them for Sunday dinner where the table was laden with beef roast or chicken, mashed potatoes, fried sweet potatoes, green beans, corn, fried apples, cole slaw and rolls, etc., with cake or pie for dessert.
She was active in the Altruist Sunday school class, known in later years as the Mattie Karrick Class, where she served as president for many years.
Dovie was honored with a lifetime membership in the WCG (Women of the Church of God) for her tireless efforts to raise money for missions. Quilting was one of the ways she and a group of ladies earned money for the support of missions. Each Tuesday, you could find them somewhere in the church quilting, talking, sharing lunch together and having fun. Among the ladies who quilted each week were “Aunt” Lottie Barber, Ruth Melon, Madge Ross, Esculene Smith, Thelma Smith and Mary Wessel and others from time to time. Some of these ladies have already crossed over into heaven, but I would like to believe that when they all get to heaven, there will be a quilt to be quilted over there. Dovie used her talent for cooking and baking to make blackberry cakes to sell at the bake table at the WCG bazaar (many of these were sold before we could them on the table to sell) and to help cook the turkey dinner also sponsored by the WCG each fall.
Dovie and Mitchell for many years hosted the yearly Pack and Chandler family reunions at their home. They were very passionate about keeping their extended families connected.
Though her life had its share of troubles, her faith in Christ never faltered and He never left her side. She taught us what it means to be a Christian, a mother, a neighbor and a friend. If you had the opportunity to meet this wonderful lady, you were blessed indeed.
Dovie will be remembered for her precious loving spirit to everyone who knew her and for working hard all of her life. Her favorite pastimes were cooking, quilting, gardening, freezing and canning to share with her family and friends. She was a wonderful mother and grandmother known affectionately as “Mamaw T” to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her faith in God will be her legacy to her family and all who knew her. What better gift to leave her loved ones than to know that she has run the race, she has kept the faith and she is now with Jesus. She would say to each of you, “Come see me in my new home.”
A service of celebration of her life will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at the First Church of God, 3500 S. 29th St., Ashland, led by the Rev. Gary Ausbun, accompanied by the Rev. Artie and Pat Burnett and the Rev. Mabel Johnson.
Family and friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Steen Funeral Home-Central Avenue Chapel in Ashland and an hour before services Saturday at the church.
Pallbearers will be Ian Smith, Chris Chandler, Mike Hellard, Al Clere, Jerry Adams and Todd Flaming.
