Marjorie Lenore Chandler Fretwell

NEWBERRY - Marjorie Lenore Chandler Fretwell, 82, of Newberry, died Monday, January 31, 2011, in Newberry County Memorial Hospital.

Born November 22, 1928, in Lane, SC, she was a daughter of the late William Roslyn and Mary Harriet Small Chandler. She was married to the late Burlington Alexander Fretwell Sr. for nearly 52 years.

Mrs. Fretwell remained an educator and learner throughout her lifetime. She received her Bachelor of Arts from Columbia College in 1949, her Master of Arts in teaching from The Citadel in 1977, and her Doctor of Philosophy in the College of Education from the University of South Carolina in 1996. She taught for 35 years, beginning as one of the original teachers at Newberry Academy. In 1967 she joined the faculty at Newberry High School as a teacher of English and science. Her last position at the high school prior to retirement in 2001 was as the school librarian.

Mrs. Fretwell was a charter and active member of the Newberry Literary Study Club. Additionally she was involved with Mothers Against Drunk Driving, was a member of the Newberry Saluda Regional Library Association and had served on the Library Association Board of Directors. She was a faithful member of St. Lukes Episcopal Church.

She is survived by her son, Burlington Alexander "Sandy" Fretwell Jr. and his wife, Joanne Sjobeck Fretwell, of Amery, WI; her daughter, Roslyn Chandler Fretwell, M.D., of Houston, TX; granddaughter, Julie Christine Fretwell Kearney and her husband, Daniel Joseph Kearney, of Waconia, MN; grandson, Jeffrey Alexander Fretwell of North Bethesda, MD; great-grandchildren, Alexander Thomas Kearney and Andrew Joseph Kearney; a sister, Ruth Chandler Ripley of Charleston, SC; and sisters-in law, Gertrude Thomas Chandler of Georgetown, SC, and Barbara Phillips Chandler of Columbia, SC. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by a son, Stuart Linthicum Fretwell. She was also preceded in death by her in-laws, Charles Burlington and Julia Alexander Fretwell of Spartanburg; her brothers, Watson Chandler, Roslyn Chandler, Stuart Chandler, Harold Chandler and J.C. Small; and her sisters, Margaret James, Louise Lesesne, Mildred Gillam and Harriet Worley.

A graveside funeral service will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. Saturday in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens in Spartanburg, SC, by the Rev. Elizabeth Morgan. Visitation will be from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Friday at Whitaker Funeral Home in Newberry, SC.

On line condolences may be sent to the family at www.whitakerfuneralhome.com.

Whitaker Funeral Home, Newberry, is assisting the family.