Lonnie S. Chandler

Lonnie Samuel Chandler was born June 2, 1948 into the loving home of the late Samuel Chandler, Jr. and Anna Lou Chandler. He transitioned from a lifetime of labor to eternal reward on February 26, 2026. He was preceded in death by his grandson, Duke K. W. Booker, Jr.; and most recently in 2023, by his wife of almost 50 years, Walretta “Jerri” Chandler.

“L-Chan,” as he was known by family and friends, was educated in Nashville. He was graduated from the historic Pearl High School ’66. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from Tennessee State University, where he was a proud member of the now-Grammy award winning Aristocrat of Bands.

Lonnie proudly served his country in the United States Army. After an honorable discharge, he continued his civic career.

Lonnie grew up with his late wife, Jerri, in St. John African Methodist Episcopal Church (SJN), which held a prominent place in his life. It is where he received his spiritual foundation as their mothers held vital roles. They were married on July 6, 1974. Their union welcomed his daughter, Trevecca, and later two children, Nicole Donielle and Walter Samuel Chandler, both of whom were baptized at SJN.

In 1979, Lonnie relocated the family to Joliet, Illinois. According to him, he was “on one of the last trains of the Great Migration out of the south.” During their 20 years there, he worked for the Natural Gas Pipeline before the family moved back to Nashville in 1998. In his words, he was “on one of the first buses re-migrating back to the south.” Upon his return, he worked for Advanced Auto and volunteered in numerous church and community organizations.

Having processed a saving faith in Christ at an early age and was baptized, Lonnie lived his beliefs with actions. While in Joliet, he was a member of Brown Chapel AME Church. Back in Nashville, he reunited with SJN, where he served as a trustee, member of the Lay Organization, driver for SJN’s adaptation of Meals on Wheels, and as a consistent presence in the North Nashville Community Garden, watering, weeding, and providing endless insight into all things, especially those agriculturally-related.

Lonnie loved music and lended his vocal ability to several groups, including SJN’s Male Ensemble and New Spirit! and Friends, an ecumenical vocal ensemble that celebrates Easter and Christmas seasons with annual cantatas. He also participated in choral and service mission trips with the Mission Choir and Team, serving and raising funds for communities impacted by natural disasters from southern Mississippi and South Carolina.

Lonnie also enjoyed spending time with others. He held his own at Bid Whist; was an avid bowler, previously playing with the Lee Chapel AME Church Bowling League; and regularly cooked for family and friends. He loved sports, particularly cheering on the Chicago Bears and Tennessee Vols, and NASCAR and Fomula 1 racing. He loved all things mechanical and believed there was nothing he could not fix or opine. In the later years, he also enjoyed being “Pop Pop Uber” for his grandsons, Walter II (Deuce) and Randolph (Trey). Beyond his many interests and obligations, Lonnie was devoted to supporting the needs of his daughter, Nicole. They were often inseparable running errands around town, shopping at Kroger, and attending worship at church.

Lonnie leaves to cherish his memories and continue a rich legacy of love and service, children, Trevecca L. Moore, Nicole D. Chandler, and Walter (Erica) S. Chandler (Seattle, WA); grandchildren, Anjelica (Timothy) James and Walter S. Chandler, II, and Randolph L. Chandler (Seattle, WA); great-grandchildren, Ava M. James and Naomi D. James; brothers, Ronald (Carolyn) Bills (Joliet, IL) and Frederick Bills; sister, Patricia Woodard (Harvey, IL); loving sister-in-love, Nancy (Othe) Kendrick; nieces; nephews; cousins; and other relatives, friends, classmates, and neighbors, especially the Fields and Evans Families, Tyrone (Alberta) Herron, Clayton Perry, Paul Black, Ralph Holmes, and Erskine Lytle, III.

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