Helen Chandler (King)
(1920 - 2010)

Helen Virginia King Chandler

Helen was born in 1920 in South Carolina, the second daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Marshall King of Pickens. She married Fred Chandler in 1948, and the two had their only child, Dianne, one year later. Dianne married Art Strandemo in 1967. Helen was a long-time member of Mt. Creek Baptist Church.

Helen was employed by Kendall Company (Mills) and later by the Palmetto Garment Company. In 1980, she retired to begin her favorite career - caring for Art and Dianne's new daughter, Kelly. In 1982, Fred passed away, and Helen moved in with Art, Dianne, and Kelly. From 1989 to 1996, Helen worked in the nursery of Mitchell Road Presbyterian Church. She loved taking care of the children of MRPC, nurturing them, and watching them grow.

Helen and her family survived a near-fatal car accident in 1996, and she went on to make a remarkable recovery. Helen was also a proud breast cancer survivor, and could often be seen sporting her pink ribbon.

Helen was a spry and warm southern lady. Her granddaughter, Kelly, has often stated that it was her grandmother who was the life of the party, even when the guests were half her age or younger. Helen would often joke about "getting out her tap shoes" or saying "Oh, I'm gonna dance!" in celebration. She loved her family and the Lord fiercely. She also loved to travel, particularly to Jekyll Island, Georgia and to visit Kelly, who now resides in New York City. She adored the family dogs and was essential in running the Strandemo household. Helen was a renowned cook; her homemade macaroni pie and cheese biscuits were famous among all she encountered.

Helen was diagnosed with Merkle Cell Carcinoma in July of 2009. She had two subsequent surgeries, one in July and another in December, in attempt to eradicate the cancer. In March of 2010, she underwent radiation therapy, but by May, it was clear that the cancer had spread throughout her body.

Helen had a very special relationship with her son-in-law, Art. His mother passed away when Art was a young man, and Helen truly became a mother figure to Art. In 2005, Art, a retired Deputy Fire Marshal, was diagnosed with Hairy Cell Leukemia. He is currently in his third round of chemotherapy and is responding well. Recently, current employees of the City of Greenville sponsored a fund-raising breakfast to help Art and Dianne defray the cost of his medical treatments. Helen was so grateful to Robert and Patty Cox for organizing that event. Art finished his last chemotherapy treatment of this cycle mere hours before Helen passed away.

Helen slipped very peacefully into the arms of God on May 21, 2010 at the McCall Open Arms Hospice, surrounded by her family and close friends. She will be dearly missed by all who knew her. She is survived by her daughter, Dianne Chandler Strandemo; her son-in-law, Art, and granddaughter, Kelly Strandemo; her brother, Marshall King, Jr. and his son and daugher-in-law - Jimmy and JoVanna King, her niece Ann M. Martin and her husband, Eric, and son, James Martin. Also living are her sister-in-laws, Elizabeth Chandler Campbell, Helen Chandler, and Maude Chandler Peden and her husband, David Peden. Helen's family celebrates the fact that she has gone on to her true home. They know that God has prepared a beautiful place for her, and they rejoice in knowing that one day they will all be together again.