Robert Walter Chandler

OKOLONA – Legendary businessman, author, real estate developer and owner/operator of Chandler's Discount Furniture Center in Okolona since January 1949, Robert Walter Chandler, 88, closed his earthly pilgrimage to enter heaven on Wednesday, May 27, 2015, at 5:30 a.m. at Gilmore Hospital in Amory from complications as the result of a fall during the last ice storm in March 2015.
Chandler was an Okolona native, born on Sept. 14, 1926, to pioneer Chickasaw Countians, Walter Clifford and Blanche Edens Chandler. A fully patriotic American, Motor Machinist's Mate 3rd Class, Chandler served in the U.S. Navy during World War II in the Atlantic and Asiatic/Pacific Theatre. He later attended Mississippi State University, where he was a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity and graduated from there with a B.S. in Business.
Walter formed a partnership with his father on January 15, 1949, forming Chandler Furniture, a business he literally managed and owned for 66 years until his death Wednesday. A colorful storyteller and the premier modern historian of all things Okolona and Chickasaw County, Walter was known far and wide for his advertising wizardry, often going on television and in the newspapers advertising his "going out of business" sales. Mr. Chandler had a thriving furniture business in Mississippi and Alabama particularly but had customers from over 20 states.
Mr. Chandler wrote 24 books and papers, most significantly timely histories of the past and present day Okolona. Mr. Chandler was a major property owner in Okolona including apartments and downtown businesses. He was a lifelong member of the First Baptist Church of Okolona and active in all its ministries. On July 1, 1951, he married his sweetheart, Bettye Hansen, from Amory. They were parents of two children, Carol and Robert. Walter, enjoyed life, his naval reunions, Walter's, promoting his beloved City of Okolona and taking care of his loyal customers. He will be greatly missed.
A service honoring his life and work, with military honors, will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, May 29, 2015, at First Baptist Church of Okolona with the Rev. Dr. Randy Lewman and Bro. Roy McHenry officiating. Private burial will be in the Chandler family plot at Oddfellows Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. today, May 28, and from noon to service time Friday, May 29, all at the First Baptist Church. Holland Funeral Directors, Okolona Chapel, is in charge of arrangements.
Walter is survived by his daughter, Carol Drane (Walton) of Pearl; five grandchildren, Walt Drane Jr., Heather Chandler, Taylor Beard, Ashley Chandler and Cole Chandler; four great-grandchildren, Chandler, Landon, Cameron and Marleigh Drane; his sister, Hattie "Tootsie" Chandler Ogburn of Mobile, Alabama; his daughter-in-law, Lisa Chandler; his longtime store manager, Lynn Gaskin' and his caregiver, Genette Bridgeman, all of Okolona; and a host of grateful friends and customers all over the Mid-South. Mr. Chandler was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Bettye Hansen Chandler; his only son, Robert Walter Chandler; and his brother, Clifford Chandler.
Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, 201 West Main St., Okolona, MS 38860 or to the Save Okolona Organization, P.O. Box 446, Okolona, MS 38860.
Condolences may be emailed to hollandfuneraldirectors@comcast.net.