Mrs. Lorene Chandler passed away on May 16, 2011, in Nacogdoches. She was born on August 3, 1936, in Swift, Texas to Henry Raines and Dollie Durrett Raines. Lorene grew up in the Caledonia area of Rusk County, graduated from Mt. Enterprise High School and completed nursing school in 1954.
She began her nursing career in the emergency room at Memorial Hospital and continued caring for patients in private practice for 25 years. She went on to co-own and operate Chandler Equipment Company. She became a very knowledgeable business woman in a man’s world and was well known and respected by many farmers and ranchers of East Texas. Lorene loved, guided and had precious relationships with her children.
She loved antiques and spent many happy hours at her farm, seeing after the cattle, watching the calves play and flowers grow. She touched many people’s lives with acts of kindness and generosity that went untold. She will be remembered for her enthusiasm and quest for a full, happy, productive life.
Survivors include a son, Robert Weaver of Dallas; one daughter, Beverly Heaton and husband, Donald of Redland; two grandchildren, Sara Hutto Thomson and Mark Hutto; great-grandchild, Briley Kate Thompson; sister, Lerlene Raines of Caledonia; two brothers, John Raines and Buck Raines of Timpson; former spouse and close friend, Troy Chandler. Pallbearers will be Mark Hutto, Tommy Chandler, James Chandler, David Chandler, Augustine Calderon, and Josh Thompson.
Funeral service will be on Thursday, May 19, 2011, at 10:00 am at Laird Funeral Home with Bro. Kyle Ross officiating. Burial will follow at County Line Cemetery in Rusk County. Visitation with the family will be on Wednesday, May 18, 2011, from 6-8 pm.
Ms. Chandler will be missed by many, not less myself……