Mrs. Margaret Elizabeth "Peggy" Chandler

Margaret, known as “Peggy” to her friends, was born in 1919 in Albany NY., to Clarence and Elizabeth Dole. She began taking piano lessons at age 5, leading to her life’s career as an organist and pianist. Peggy was a gifted and diligent student, skipping a grade and entering Cornell University with an academic scholarship at age 16. While at Cornell she studied the pipe organ under Luther Noss and sang in the chapel choir at her beloved Sage Chapel. Upon graduating with a degree in mathematics, Peggy worked for a bridge-building firm in New York City, assisting the engineers with their calculations.

Margaret met her future husband, Webster Chandler, at a Methodist Church college retreat while at Cornell, where he was a graduate student. They married in December 1941, while he was on leave from the U.S. Army, having been drafted just before the start on WWII. She spent the next two years living on or near army bases throughout the country. After Web returned from Guam and received his PH D, they moved to Griffin where they spent the rest of their lives and were actively involved in the community.

Peggy was church organist at Hanleiter United Methodist Church, then First Presbyterian Church, and finally First United Methodist Church for many years, retiring from First United Methodist Church, but coming out of retirement in 1988 to play two additional years at First Presbyterian Church. She continued to substitute for organists well into her 80’s. Peggy played for countless weddings, funerals, and school functions in Griffin. She was past president of the Griffin Music Club and an active member for years. Peggy taught piano and organ lessons in her home and took great pride in her student’s accomplishments. She was an active volunteer as well, working as an auxiliary member at the hospitality desk at Spalding Regional Medical Center with her husband into her 90’s.

She was a member of First United Methodist Church and later First Presbyterian Church where she and Web remained active into their 80’s. Peggy was predeceased in death by her husband of almost 70 years just last June.

Survivors include her son, Randy Chandler of Brooks; daughter and son-in-law, Barbara and Kent Antley of Atlanta; grandchildren, Wes and Jordon Chandler, Anna Chandler, John and Trey Evans, and Christopher Antley; great-grandchildren, Jaxon and Jagger Chandler; brother, Robert Dole; caregivers, Violet Lawrence and Lisa Davis.

Funeral service for Mrs. Margaret Elizabeth “Peggy” Chandler will be held on Tuesday, November 8, 2011 at 11:00 AM in the sanctuary of the First Presbyterian Church. Interment will follow in Oak Hill Cemetery. Friends may visit the family on Monday, November 7, 2011, from 6-8 PM at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers the family request that donations be made to the music departments of First Presbyterian Church, 1349 Macon Rd. Griffin, Ga. 30224 or First United Methodist Church, 1401 Maple Dr. Griffin, Ga. 30224, in memory of Mrs. Chandler.

To pay condolences online to the family, please do so at www.haistenmccullough.com.

Haisten McCullough Funeral Home, 1155 Everee Inn Rd. is in charge of arrangements.