Vivian Leonard Saunders Chandler

Vivian (Leonard Saunders) Chandler went to her heavenly home August 17, 2023.  Vivian was ever faithful to Jesus, was very loving and kind to her family and friends and was a renowned cook.

She was born in Hawley, TX to Carl and Emma Lee (Latham) Leonard and grew up with brothers and sisters Louise, Jack, Hoot, Evelyn, Frankie, Lola and Bill.  When the family moved to Wolcott, Vivian went to school in Stanton where she became lifelong friends with Ouida & Colleen.

After graduation she worked at the Army base at the Midland airport and after the war met Otho Elvin ‘El’ Saunders. They soon married and had a very good life of farming, ranching, family gatherings, rodeos, ropings and church. El loved having company and Vivian loved cooking for them. She loved her Mother-in-Law and was also very close to her in-law brothers and sisters.

El and Vivian had a son Richard who died in infancy and 2 daughters Eddie Ray and Frankie Jo. The girls were always dressed nicely in starched clothes.  Vivian didn’t mind animals but they weren’t her thing. But ….she made sure Eddie Ray always had a menagerie of animals that she loved. Vivian didn’t think children should watch too much tv, but she made sure Frankie Jo (Hankie) got to watch ‘American Bandstand’.  It just happened that Vivian had lots of ironing just as her soap opera ‘Love of Life’ came on tv and she would watch and iron.

Vivian soon met Shirley who was her best friend for the rest of their lives. They spent hours in the garden and sitting on the porch shelling peas. (And maybe there was a little gossip.) Shirley’s boys- Perry and Dean became Vivian’s boys too.

Vivian was a bit mischievous and loved a good prank. Vivian was a volunteer head cook for her church camp near Mayhill, NM. The visiting ministers said it was the only camp where they gained weight because of her delicious cooking. Through the camps & her local church she became great friends with Christine.

After her girls were grown, Vivian went to work at Midland Farmers Coop Gin. She loved working with her brother Hoot and her friends Anna Lou & Leona. She loved the farming community.

Vivian welcomed sons-in-law Wayne and Joe. She was thrilled when she became a grandmother and was devoted to her grandchildren- Justin, Reid & Morgan.

Vivian was grief stricken when El died after 42 years of marriage.  Later she married WD (Dub) Chandler. They enjoyed many years together. They loved traveling and playing cards and dominoes with Jack and Francis, Hoot and Colleen and Bill and Maggie. They embraced each other’s children, grandchildren & great grandchildren- which was quite a large group.

When one grandson started college, Vivian asked her daughter what she could talk to him about while he was in college. In jest, her daughter said ‘learn about the NBA.’ Vivian knew nothing about basketball but she learned the rules, players and teams. Soon she and her grandson were having lively conversations about wins, losses & trades- she became a lifelong Spurs fan!

Vivian helped many through health problems, loss of loved ones and the trials of life. She was steadfast in faith, prayer, encouragement and love. She was the matriarch for many nieces and nephews later in life.

Vivian leaves behind Dub, Eddie Ray and Wayne, Frankie Jo (Joe), Sandy and Johnny, David & Margie, Tracy, many grandchildren, great- grandchildren, nieces, nephews and sister Frankie. We miss her already!

The family will receive friends at Gilbreath Funeral Home Tuesday, August 22, 2023 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. A graveside service will be held on Wednesday, August 23, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. at Evergreen Cemetery Chapel in Stanton.  Pallbearers will be Justin, Reid, Leeland, Shane L., Jeremy, Jody, Paul, Shane D., Jason, Jace and Chris.

Arrangements are under the direction of Gilbreath Funeral Home of Stanton. Online condolences can be made at www.npwelch.com.

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