Thelma Chandler, 94 of Centralia passed away peacefully on May 27, 2026, at the Stuart House in Centralia. 

Family and friends are invited to Thelma’s Life Celebration at 1:00 PM Monday June 1, 2026, at Fenton-Kendrick Funeral Home in Centralia. Burial will follow in the Centralia City Cemetery.

Visitation will be held from 11:00 AM until the time of the service on Monday at the funeral home.

Thelma was born on February 28, 1932, in Trenton, MO the daughter of Theodore Roosevelt and Mina Murl (Sharp) Jennings.

Thelma is survived by her children, Mike Chandler and wife Becky, daughter Joyce Roberts and husband Jeff, and son Stacy Chandler; grandchildren, Daniel Chandler and wife Jill, Erin Cole and husband Corey, Jordan Roberts, Jayden Roberts, Jadria Roberts, Elizabeth Couch and fiancé Tyler Dunkerson, and Jonathan Chandler; great-grandchildren, Harvey and Caroline Chandler, Harris and Linden Cole, Isabella and Thomas Couch, Corynthia and Anastasia Dunkerson.

Thelma was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Howard, a son, Pat Chandler, brother, Virgil Jennings, sisters, Naomi Rozell and Thaddy Lou Layton.

After graduating from North Kansas City High School, Thelma met the love of her life Howard Chandler, they were married on October 11, 1959, he preceded her in death on November 22, 2002. Thelma and Howard moved to the Centralia area and established a home. Once here and throughout the years, Thelma worked for the University of Missouri, 3M, Centralia Schools in the kitchen, Fenton Funeral Chapel, and her favorite job selling AVON, which she did for many years. Thelma was a longtime member of the Crossroads Cathedral Assembly of God in Centralia, where she served many years as the church pianist, Sunday School Teacher, board member and managed Esther’s Pantry. She also loved to volunteer her time with the Centralia Avenue of Flags.

Memorial donations are suggested to the Crossroads Cathedral Assembly of God or the Centralia Avenue of the Flags and may be sent in care of Fenton-Kendrick Funeral Home, 104 S. Collier St. Centralia, MO 65240.