Chandler Family Reunion
Turning the Pages of History The Chandler Family Reunion got started during a trip to Fort Myers, Florida in 1984. Emily Chandler Cooper attended the funeral of her father, Leroy Chandler's, first cousin, Lizzie "Doli" Epps White, and represented the family.
After the service was over and family members returned to the house, a discussion began as to Doli's dream of having the family united with a family reunion. Had Doli lived, she had plans to make her dream a reality. She did not live, but her dream lives on. Upon returning to South Carolina, Emily organized the first reunion with the help of her siblings and their spouses; Rosa Chandler Harvin (Bruster), Emily Chandler Cooper (Danzell), Louise Chandler Barr (Martin), and Antionette Chandler.
These are some of the people who were instrumental in helping to get the reunion started. The names of these individuals are: Geneva and Robert Brown, Lillie "Lil" Chandler, Inez McDonald Katzbeck, Norris and Grace Wallace, Lue Bennett, Louse Chandler Oliver, Leroy and Mattie Chandler, Maria and Harris Fleming, Willie James Chandler, and Dorothy Epps Benbow. Without their help, we may still be wondering who our ancestors are and how we are related to each other. We also have those who contributed information about our family who are no longer with us, namely: Esther Chandler Wallace, Martha Brown, Aliafair Tucker, Ila Mae Ford, Mary Chandler Darby, Feaser White, Inez McDowell, Viola Chandler Murrell, Sally Wilson, Bessie Conyers, Rebecca "Dollbaby" Wilson, and Rev. A. C. Chandler. Our purpose for these gatherings is twofold: 1. To renew family relationships and introduce new members of the family. 2. To pass on to the future generations part of the rich legacy of the Chandler name left to us by our forefathers. We must never fail to impress upon the future generations that we stem from a proud people. We must always try to keep the Chandler name above reproach. We must teach this to our children that these ideals will live in their minds and their hearts, and their mouths may witness the message to future generations.
The First Chandler Reunion, entitled The Good Old Days, was held on August 10-11, 1985 in Lane/Kingstree, South Carolina. Our colors for the occasion were blue and white, representing truth and purity. The Second and Third Reunions were also held in Lane/Kingstree, South Carolina. The theme of the Second Chandler Reunion was Time Brings on Changes. A song was recorded by the children of Mrs. Ester Chandler; Ron, Ethel, and Queenie, and was sung by the trio at the Reunion. The theme of the Third Reunion was Look Where He Brought Me From. The Fourth and Fifth Reunions were held in Fort Myers, Florida. Twelve cities and seven states were represented at this reunion: New York; Delaware; Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Baltimore, Maryland; Greensboro, North Carolina; Kingstree/Lane/Salters, South Carolina; Jacksonsville/Ft. Lauderdale/Delray/Latana, Florida. More than 200 family members participated. It was hosted by Isiah Epps and family members. We had fun, fun, fun in the sun! The Sixth and Seventh Reunions were held in Greensboro, North Carolina, hosted by Cousin Rosa Wilson and family. We had great hospitality, food, fun and we ventured out to see the city. But most of all, we enjoyed our family's fellowship. Our hats are off to this committee. For the Eighth Reunion, we went to Pittsburgh, PA. It was hosted by Cousin Inez Katzbeck and the Pittsburgh Clan. Even though the food and hospitality were wonderful, we can never forget the mountains; some places as much as six miles high. Number Nine...We came back to Kingstree/Lane, South Carolina, hosted by the Founding Committee (Cooper/Harvin/Barr and families). We are always glad to host the Reunion. Number Ten... We journeyed to Jacksonville, Florida, hosted by Cousin Hessie Swain and family members from that city. Cousin A.C. Chandler gave us valuable information on the family tree. While in Jacksonville, we were escorted to historical St. Augustine, Florida for sightseeing. The Reunion was superb! The children's choir was established in Jacksonville. Thanks go out to Cousin Hessie.
Reunion Eleven took us to Mt. Laurel, New Jersey, hosted by New Jersey, New York, Philadelphia, and Maryland families, with Cousin Frances and others to oversee the reunion. We had Soul Food, great conversations, and we met family members we never met before. We had a great time! The Choir really rocked! We rocked every minute. For Reunion Twelve, we journeyed to Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, hosted by Cousin Ernestine Slater and company. This Reunion was all we had hoped it would be. We had so much food and fun. We went to the World's Largest Flea market. And we celebrated the 50th Anniversary of Leroy and Mattie Chandler. Thank you, Fort Lauderdale! 1991...Number Thirteen...We were in beautiful Columbia, South Carolina...home of Smiling Faces and Beautiful Places, hosted by Cousin Barbara Miller and company. We had lots of fun, food and entertainment. We were encouraged to reach out and meet someone we hadn't met before personally. It worked! Great job Barbara! And here we are Fourteen years later and back in Ft. Myers, City of Palms, with Bubba and the team. We were next to one of the finest shopping malls you could visit and did we shop! The food was good, conversation delightful and the service was always high in the Lord. Way to go Bubba and the Florida team. Next year.... South Carolina!!! 1999...South Carolina...We are once again hosting our family reunion. We have strived to make this year a memorable as possible. Our theme was Fifteen Years of Togetherness. We thank you for being with us. So to those who have been to all fifteen reunions, Bravo! To those who have attended most family reunions, we hope this one was as good as others. And to those who attended their first reunion, we hope that you rejoice with us and strive to keep the reunion alive. 2000... The family reunion was held in the State of South Carolina. We had a
wonderful time seeing old faces and new ones. Truly God has smiled on this family. The theme was Spreading Roots in the New Millennium. Speakers were Cousin Ethel Wallace, (Kingstree, SC) and Rev. Willie Tucker (Jacksonville, FL), along with our Cousin Rev. William Giles (Philadelphia, PA) with Louise C. Barr (Kingstree, SC) presiding. Henceforth, our Hellos and Goodbyes, until we meet again in Jacksonville, Florida in 2001. 2001 Jacksonville, what a time we had with our family in the Sunshine State of Florida. We had good food, good conversation and good fellowship. The theme was the Fruits of Jake and Fannie Chandler. Jimmy Epps of Ft. Myers presided Saturday with Steven Barr of Kingstree, SC as a youth speaker and Rev. Willie Tucker, Jr. of Florida as the main speaker. Sunday's speaker was Donald Gamble and Deacon Curtis Joyner presided. Cousin Hessie topped it off with a sole stirring spiritual. Hellos and Goodbyes were said and we will see you in Lindenwold, New Jersey in 2002. Our Eighteenth Reunion took us back to New Jersey where Cousin Francis hosted it. We had soul food by Company C. We saw a great play called "The Guest Choir". Cousin Elder Donald Gamble presided that Saturday and Cousin Evangelist Hessie Gamble that Sunday. Our speaker for this year's reunion was Cousin Minister Randy Thompson. We would like to thank New Jersey for showing us so much Love and fun. We will see you in Salisbury, NC in 2003. And in 2003, we were hosted by Cousin Minister Randy Thompson in beautiful Salisbury, NC. We had food, fun and of course Hou-Di-Ni! His theme, A Star is Gone, but the Light Still Rises. Now we celebrate the 20th year back where it began, in Kingstree/Lane, South Carolina. Therefore, we say that we are Solid as a Rock, Twenty Years and Counting. We are still going strong. Today, we are a united family and now we are solid as a rock!!!
2005- Today, Cousin Sean and Antionette McDonald are hosting the twentyfirst reunion entitle, A Family is Only as Strong as Its Roots in Woodbridge, Virginia. At this reunion we went sightseeing all around the DC Metro area and visited many historical sites. We hoped that breakout sessions that were held allowed our generations to bridge and ensured that the Chandler's rich legacy was passed on. 2006- Twenty-Second Annual Reunion was held in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, the beautiful Sunshine State. It was hosted by Cousin Ernestine Sweet. Everyone had a great time. The food was delightful and once again our family enjoyed the hospitality Florida is known to display. 2007- The Twenty-Third Annual Reunion was hosted further north for the very first time in Toledo, Ohio. The theme for this reunion was entitled We are the Lives He Gave His Own For was hosted by Emerson Joiner and Ella Joiner in Toledo, Ohio where we had a fun filled day at the Cedar Point Sandusky, Ohio's amusement park. We had tasty food and a lot of fun. Evangelist Hessie Gamble was our Sunday service speaker and Cousin Curtis Joiner from New York was our Master of Ceremony. 2008 Reunion was hosted by Frances and Rolley Chandler. We had a wonderful experience once again. We had soul food catered by Company C., which is a part of the family reunion committee. They worked diligently so everyone could have a wonderful time in New Jersey. Jake and Fannie would be so proud to see that their legacy lives on. Pastor Willie O. Tucker, all the way from Jacksonville, Florida, brought the message for our Sunday Morning Service. Cousin Evangelist Hessie Gamble was our worship leader for the service as well. There is one thought they encouraged us to leave with, and it reads "In All Thy Ways Acknowledge Him and He Will Direct Your Path", Proverbs 3:6.
And there we were in 2009. As we looked back over the past twenty-five years, we can say God has been good, better than good to us. We have traveled down South, up the East Coast, all the way to Toledo, Ohio. We have me and embraced family members whether by blood, marriage, or friendship. It has always been our goal to make you feel happy and comfortable when you come home, and this year was certainly no different. The South Carolina Committee has endeavored to give you our best; food, fun and hospitality. After the years we are Keeping the Dream Alive: 25 Years Later. Welcome home and please enjoy your family reunion.
2010... Atlanta, Georgia. The “unofficial� capital of the South. The mix of Southern Charm, urban sophistication and deeply rooted traditions are undeniable.
2011... Hurricane Irene came though Fort Myers in August 2011. But before Irene passed through, the Chandlers hit the town first.
2012... Columbia, SC- the state capital and largest city in the State of South Carolina.
2013... We are heading back to South Carolina!!! Myrtle Beach anyone?