Sandra “Sandy” Chandler, 90, of California, passed away at her home on Monday, Sept. 28, 2025. Born in Kansas City, Missouri, she was the daughter of the late Leonard Ellis and Opal Nassar. She was also the devoted wife to James Chandler for almost 50 years before his passing in 2001.
Sandra was a homemaker and took great pride in raising her children. She made sure to keep involved in their lives, helping with both the Boy and Girl Scouts. In addition, she was an avid seamstress, cook, and musician. Folk music was some of her favorite, and she enjoyed singing, playing the banjo, guitar, and harmonica as a member of the “Harmonicoots.” She passed along this love for music onto her children, teaching them all guitar and making sure her son, Jim, had a ride to all his music gigs before he was able to drive himself.
Sandra also had a deep love for animals, particularly horses. She would often go horseback riding with her family and had a few horses throughout the course of her life, her favorite being a beautiful palomino named Paper Tiger. However, she also loved the family dogs, Holly, whom she lovingly called a sweet potato, Bosco, Prudence, Jubilee, Black Bess, and Scruffy; and her cats, Alice, Tuffy, and Missy.
Sandra is survived by her children, James “Jim” Chandler Jr., husband of Liisa, Wylene Roberts, wife of Dennis, and Gina Nations, wife of Steve; grandchild, Trevor Roberts; and great-grandchildren, Blake, Taylor, and Emma Roberts.
She is preceded in passing by her parents; husband; siblings, Roy Ellis, twin brothers, Jim and Jerry Ellis, Yvonne Clawson, Dennis Nassar, Kenny Nassar, and Mike Nassar; and grandson, Sergeant Derek Roberts, who was killed in action in Iraq during his service with the U.S. Army in 2007.
