Eleanor Smith Chandler

Eleanor Frances Smith Chandler, 80, of Jacksonville, passed away on Tuesday, February 11, 2014. Eleanor was born June 10, 1933, in Jacksonville, to the late Clyde O. Smith and the late Frances Wetherington.

Eleanor was preceded in death by her husband, Col. Harold Kimball Chandler. Eleanor is survived by her three loving children—her son Hal Chandler, and two daughters, Fran Hill and Angie Cook—and by eleven grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

Eleanor obtained a bachelor’s degree from The University of Georgia and a master’s from Nova Southeastern University. Eleanor was a school teacher for many years. As an Army wife she lived in Georgia, Japan, Massachusetts, Texas, and Virginia. After her husband’s retirement they lived in Live Oak, Florida; Tokyo, Japan; Sydney, Australia, and Topeka, Kansas before settling in Jacksonville. Eleanor was a long-time member of First Baptist Church of Jacksonville. Her faith in Christ was real to her, which she demonstrated by the way she raised her children and by the impact she had on her family and friends and community. All of her children and grand-children have accepted Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior. She shared her faith though many ministries including leadership in Baptist Women’s Missionary Union, Girls in Action, Sunday School, and home Bible studies. She was a great story-teller, who kept her grand-children up late with creative tales and fun stories. Her sweetness, joy, and laughter will be long-remembered.

The family would like to express its appreciation for the wonderful community of caregivers at Clare Bridge, the dedicated servants of Northeast Florida Community Hospice, and the loving ministers and members of First Baptist Church of Jacksonville.

A visitation will be held on Tuesday, February 18 from 6-8:00 pm in Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home of Mandarin. A memorial service will be held in Maryland and the interment will be in Arlington National Cemetery at a date and time to be determined.

Arrangements are under the care and direction of Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home of Mandarin, 11801 San Jose Blvd. Jacksonville, FL 32223. www.hgmandarin.com (904) 288-0025.