Charles Chandler

Charles Douglas “C.D. Doug” Chandler Sr., 92, died Wednesday, June 18, 2025, in Crestview, Florida.

Born in Selma on July 19, 1932, Chandler was devoted to his family, church and country. Growing up in east Selma, he was an all-star youth football player, and played basketball and baseball, including for the undefeated Golden Tigers peewee baseball team. As a teenager, Chandler was an usher at the Wilby and Walton theaters, worked at the Dairy Creme and Hill Grocery Store and was a member of Alabama Avenue Methodist Church.

Chandler was a 1950 graduate of Selma High School, working his way through Auburn University in the ROTC program while marrying the love of his life, Patsy Jean Keith, in 1952 before graduating with a bachelor’s degree in business administration in 1955. He served two more years as an officer in the U.S. Army, stationed in Mississippi, Louisiana and Massachusetts, where he was a company commander in the 501st Signal Corps at Fort Devens.

In 1958, the Chandlers moved to West Palm Beach, Florida, where they lived for six years while he was an agent for Life of Georgia. Chandler served in the Army Signal Corps attached to the Florida National Guard from 1958-59.

In 1962, the family moved to Selma, where he was an agent for State Farm, and for two years in Demopolis.

The Chandlers moved back to Selma in 1964. A lifelong teetotaler, he would become Selma’s first agent for Preferred Risk, which provided insurance to nondrinkers. He would later establish Chandler Insurance Agency, representing a variety of companies for 35 years, including being the first agent in central Alabama for Aflac.

Chandler was a member of First Baptist Church for 62 years, singing in the choir for the majority of that time. He served as superintendent of the Intermediate Department and was an usher for many years after retiring from the choir.

Chandler was the last surviving member of the first racially integrated Selma City Council. He was appointed by the council in 1974 to fill the remainder of one term on Place 2-Ward 2, then was elected to a full term.

In 1974, Chandler was selected Executive Director of the United Appeal, which preceded United Way. He served four years in that position, raising more than $1 million to support agencies serving Selmians in need.

Chandler was president of the Selma Exchange Club before being selected to the Alabama Exchange Club Board of Directors and serving for many years. He was district director of the Alabama Exchange Club for four years. He was a delegate to the International Exchange Club Convention in Boston in 1975.

A music lover of genres ranging from Dixieland Jazz to Elvis to Gospel to folk, Chandler also loved Christian music and sang tenor in the First Baptist Church choir and the Selma Choral Society’s “Messiah.” He was a member of the Selma Barbershop group that entertained at area events.

Chandler was a member of many civic organizations, including the Selma Water Board, the Selma Planning Board, Chamber of Commerce, the Air Force Association, the Selma/Dallas Social Services Organization, the Alabama Association of United Ways, the Alabama/National Association of Independent Agents, West Central Alabama Rehabilitation Center Building Committee, Crippled Children Association, and served as president of the Dallas County Auburn Club and president of the Selma High School Band Parents Association.

Chandler was a devoted fan of Auburn athletics, attending many football games through the years, including the 1964 Orange Bowl and 1969 Astro-Bluebonnet Bowl. Many relatives followed his lead and became graduates of Auburn University, including his children Chuck, Sharon and Karah. He followed the Atlanta Braves from their inception in Georgia, watching most games on TV while last attending a game where he was recognized on the stadium video boards on his 80th birthday.

Doug and Pat sold their home of 52 years at the corner of Broad Street and Sixth Avenue in 2023, moving to be near their youngest daughter and family in Crestview, where they joined the First Methodist Church.

He was predeceased by his parents, O.B. and Ruby Chandler; baby brother Tommy; and sisters Evelyn Autrey and Dot Bearden.

Survivors include his wife, Patsy Chandler, son, Chuck Chandler of Vestavia Hills; daughters Sharon Watford of Las Vegas, Nevada, and Karah Chambliss of Crestview; grandchildren, Rachel Watford of Denver, Colorado, Alex Watford of Atlanta, Georgia, Doug Chandler of Hoover, Liz Chandler of Bessemer, Viviann Casey of Alabaster, and Emily, Thomas and Sam Chambliss of Crestview; step-grandchild Brandon Pouncey of Foley; great-grandchildren, Charlie Chandler of Mobile, Savannah Crane of Bessemer, Stella Casey of Alabaster and Riley Hogue of Bessemer; nieces Linda Garris, Janice Bowling and Joy Sikes; nephews Ken and Larry Autrey, and Jim Henderson; and other relatives.

Funeral Services will be Monday, June 30, 2025 in the chapel of Lawrence Brown-Service Funeral Home of Selma at 1:00 p.m. with the Rev. Ken Autrey officiating and Lawrence Brown-Service Funeral Home of Selma directing. Burial will follow at Pineview Memory Gardens. The family will receive friends at the funeral home in Selma, beginning at 12:00 p.m., prior to the service.

Pallbearers are Cecil Strickland, Ben Chambliss, Thomas Chambliss, Alex Watford, Douglas Chandler and Mark Phillips.