Peggy Chandler

Tupelo - Peggy Lahoma Raley Chandler, 85, died Sunday, March 4, 2012, at Baptist Trinity Hospice House in Collierville, Tenn. after an extended illness. A Dyersburg, Tenn. native, she was born October 5, 1926 to Ivan and Johnnie Hobson Raley. She was a longtime active member of First Baptist Church where she served as librarian for over 40 years. She also taught Sunday School, Training Union, directed Vacation Bible School, and served as G.A. Director for the church and Lee County Baptist Association. A devoted homemaker, she enjoyed sewing, crocheting, and reading. She loved spending time with her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and the children in her neighborhood. She will be remembered for her sweet nature and her strong faith in God, unshaken and evident to the end. Services will be 10 a.m. Tuesday, March 6, 2012 at First Baptist Church with Rev. Ricky Young and her daughter, Beth Chandler officiating. Graveside services will be 3:30 p.m. at Ridgecrest Cemetery in Jackson, Tenn., with Dr. Ivan Raley officiating. W. E. Pegues Funeral Directors is in charge of the arrangements. Survivors include three daughters, Cynthia Howell (Rev. Byron Howell) of Jackson, Julia Pilgrim (Steve) of Memphis, Tenn., and Beth Chandler of Monroe, La.; seven grandchildren, J.C. Howell (Stacy) of Fredericksburg, Va., Katie Logan (Aaron) of Maryville, Tenn., Matthew Howell (Wendy) of Saltillo, Angela Osborne (David) of Birmingham, Ala., Dinah Lachney (Rick) of Decatur, Luke Howell (Aubrie) of Union, and Virginia Pilgrim of Memphis; six great-grandchildren, Chandler Howell, Jacob Howell, Annley Howell, Cameron Howell, Catherine Howell, and Virginia Kate Osborne; one brother, Dr. Ivan Raley, Jr. of Byrdstown, Tenn. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Ralph Chandler who died September 8, 2002; two sisters, Launa Flemming and Alice Griffis. Pallbearers will be her grandsons, grandsons-in-law and great-grandsons. Smith Heavner and Bill Stafford will serve as honorary pallbearers. The body will lie in state 9 a.m. to service time at the church. Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, 300 N. Church St., Tupelo MS 38804; or Baptist Trinity Hospice House, 1520 W. Poplar Ave., Collierville, TN 38017 Expressions of sympathy may be left at www.peguesfuneralhome.com