Mary Waggoner Chandler

Mary Strauss Waggoner Chandler died on Thursday the 25th of April 2024. Born in Houston on the 16th of June 1942 at the Old St. Joseph’s Hospital, she grew up in the family home of 42 years on Reba Drive. She is the daughter of William Strauss of Houston and Esther Hasskarl of Brenham. Being a descendent of Martin Allen, Mary’s roots in Texas go back to the Descendants of Austin’s Old 300 and the settlement of San Felipe de Austin 1836.

Mary attended River Oaks Elementary, Lanier Jr. High, Lamar High School, and received her B.S. from the University of Texas in Austin. While serving as a Bridesmaid she met a Bridegroom, Boyd Waggoner, and married in 1964. They lived in Dallas and had a son, Allen, and a daughter, Leslie. Mary was active in all of the children’s schools and activities. She was involved in Kappa Kappa Gamma alums and the Junior League of Dallas. Mary and the children made calls for the United Way campaign and participated in activities at St. Michael’s Episcopal Church.

Mary returned to Houston alone in 1987 in search of her passion and career. Returning to the “dirt”, the family ranch along the Brazos River in Frydek, Texas, she found great healing and love. Mary greatly loved trail riding and her horseback girlfriend group affectionately known as the Sugar Poppies. Pursuing her interest in wellness she became a Healing Touch Practitioner (one of the first in Houston) and founded a practice she maintained for 17 years. She served on the campaign committee for the Historic San Felipe de Austin Museum.

Then along came Jim Chandler who soon discovered he was a “want to be cowboy” and learned to drive tractors and ride horses like an old pro. While Mary and her horses showed Jim the back roads of Texas, Jim showed Mary how to gallop around the world on many trips and adventures. Mary and their friend Sherman delighted in watching Jim & his horse Miss Alice ride past and open & close gates. They entertained precious friends at the Half Circle O Ranch for trail rides, football games, play days and cookouts.

Mary was a life member of Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, Board Member of Gulf Coast AgriBusiness Council, Co-founder and Advisory Board Member of the Friends of UT Medical School.

The center of Mary’s life was the Episcopal Church. Mary & Jim were active at St. Martin’s. She served on the Prevention & Recovery Council, Martha’s Guild, the Hope & Healing Center Board, and was active in a Bible Study Group.

Mary is survived by her husband Jim Chandler of Houston; son, Allen Kinsey Waggoner; daughter, Leslie Waggoner Marchand and her husband Michael; grandchildren, Thomas and Marisa Cromwell, Christian Marchand and Olivia Miller and her husband Landon; great-granddaughter, Dallas Miller; brother, Fred Strauss and his wife Betty; nieces, Stacey Black and Susan Graves and their families, and many Hasskarl family cousins.

A memorial service is to be conducted at one o’clock in the afternoon on Friday, the 3rd of May in the sanctuary of St. Martin’s Episcopal Church, 717 Sage Road in Houston, where The Rev. Dr. Russell J. Levenson, Jr., Rector is to officiate. Immediately following all are invited to greet the family during a reception in the Bagby Parish Hall.

For those unable to attend the service in-person, virtual attendance may be accessed by visiting Mrs. Chandler’s online memorial tribute at GeoHLewis.com and selecting the "Join Livestream" icon on the service section. While there you may also share fond memories and words of comfort and condolences with her family by selecting the “Add a Memory” icon

In lieu of customary remembrances, memorial contributions may be directed to the St. Martin’s Episcopal Church Endowment, 717 Sage Road, Houston, Texas 77056