Jacqueline Hodnett Chandler

Jacqueline Hodnett Chandler of Richmond, VA passed away November 2, 2022. 

Jacqueline Hodnett Chandler “Jackie” was married to Theodore Lindy Chandler for over 40 years until his passing in 1992.  She loved and cared for her son Theodore (Ted)  Lindy Chandler, Jr, and his wife Laura Lee Hankins Chandler, granddaughters Katherine Merritt and husband Timothy,  and Rebecca Guillote and husband John.  She is also survived by her great-grandchildren Owen Theodore and Oliver Byron Merritt, Juniper Lee Guillote and many nieces and nephews in the close Chandler family.

She was born September 27, 1928, and was the daughter of Joseph W. Hodnett and Gladys Hodnett. She was predeceased by her brother Joseph W. Hodnett, Jr., sister Juanita Hodnett Chandler and later husband Zoltan Szeifert. Jackie was born in South Boston, VA and lived in Richmond, VA and Punta Gorda, FL.

She loved her family, friends and church.  She was delighted to receive a college scholarship from First Baptist Church in South Boston and attended Madison College, now James Madison University,  at age 16 for one year. She served as President of her freshman class. She then graduated from Johns Hopkins School of Nursing. Jackie was also chosen as a Tobacco Festival Princess during her college days, a beautiful representative of the Festival.

Nursing was her passion. She trained as an operating room technician at George Washington University Hospital and fell in love with surgery when she supported the doctors doing 8–10 hour brain surgeries.

Upon returning to South Boston, Jackie served as a private duty nurse. Dr. Alan Fuller personally recruited Jackie when a new clinic was opening. For eight years, Jackie used her skills and service to others at Fuller Roberts Clinic.   She laughed and told the story that when she retired, the clinic hired three nurses to take her place!

Her service to others manifested itself in her volunteer activities.  She was President of the Junior Woman’s Club and the Women’s Missionary Union of First Baptist Church in South Boston, as well as an active golfer at country clubs in South Boston, Richmond, and Punta Gorda, Florida and chaired the Twin Isles Women’s group in Florida.  Jackie focused more on her friends when on the golf course than on her golf, and was a partner with a positive attitude, no matter the score.

Jackie loved flowers and was always a member of a garden club wherever she lived.   She regularly sent birthday, get well and holiday cards to her extended family and to members of her Florida church.

Jackie will always be remembered for her grace, humility, beauty and dedication to her family and friends.  She was the definition of a great mother, grandmother, and friend, and was a blessing to all who knew and loved her.

The funeral  service will be held Saturday, November 5, 2022, 11 A.M. at Powell Funeral Home Chapel, 1603 Wilborn Ave, South Boston, VA, followed by a graveside service at Oak Ridge Cemetery.  The Reverend Susan Davis will officiate. The family will receive friends 10 -11 am at the funeral home.   The service will be live streamed via Powell Funeral Home’s Facebook page.

For memorials,  please consider a donation to First Baptist Church, 815 N. Main Street, South Boston, VA 24592 or Congregational United Church of Christ, 1201 Aqui Esta Drive, Punta Gorda, FL 33950.

Online condolences may be directed to www.powellfuneralinc.com

Arrangements entrusted to Powell Funeral Home and Cremation Services.