Lotus Flanders Holladay Chandler SUMTER: Mrs. Lotus Flanders Holladay Chandler, widow of James Ryan Chandler, of Cades, passed away peacefully at age 94, surrounded by her family on Wednesday, June the 12th, 2013, at Morningside Assisted Living in Sumter. Lotus was born in Macon, Georgia, on Armistice Day (now Veterans Day) on November 11, 1918, to the late John Henry Holladay and the late Ruth Flanders Holladay amidst the celebration of the end of World War I. She was named for her mother's favorite sister, who had died earlier that year. Lotus's early years were spent in Sumter and Darlington, SC. She graduated from high school in Wrightsville, Georgia, and subsequently from Andrew Junior College in Cuthbert, GA, with a degree in Dramatic Arts and later from the University of South Carolina in Elementary Education. Lotus and Ryan met during World War II when she was a teacher in Greeleyville, and he was a captain in the Army of the United States. They married in Baltimore, Maryland, and lived there during his last year of military service before moving to the Hebron Community where they lived together until Ryan's death in 1994, shortly before what would have been their 50th anniversary. Lotus moved to Sumter eight years later, first to Covenant Place and then to Morningside. Lotus was a first grade teacher for most of her career. She taught for many years at Hebron School, Salem Academy in New Zion, and Cades School. She loved working with young children and liked to say that she "never got out of the first grade." Lotus also taught the Ladies Bible Class and Adult Bible Class at Hebron United Methodist Church and Hebron Independent Church. A prolific writer, Lotus wrote and published two books: The Book of Proverbs in Rhyme and Ecclesiastes in Rhyme. In addition to writing, Lotus enjoyed music, dancing, playing the piano, working in the yard, antiquing with her husband, and most of all, spending time with her children and grandchildren. She was a town girl at heart but spent many happy years of country life raising a family and serving her community and churches. With her positive attitude and sense of humor, Lotus was dearly loved and will be greatly missed. The family wants to thank the staff of Morningside Assisted Living for their loving care and support over the past five and a half years. A cancer survivor of many years, Lotus is survived by a daughter, Carol Chandler (Dabbs) Briley (Randy Briley); a son, Dr. James Ryan Chandler, Jr. (Jane Huff Chandler).; four grandchildren, Lauren Dabbs Renaud (Andrew Renaud), Mary Anna Chandler, James Ryan Chandler III, and John Kenneth Chandler; a brother, John Henry Holladay, Jr. (Laura Johnstone Holladay); several sisters-in law and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. The family of Mrs. Chandler will have visitation from one until two o'clock p.m., Saturday, June the 15th, in the Fellowship Hall of Hebron Independent Church. Funeral services for Mrs. Chandler will be held at two o'clock p.m., Saturday, June the 15th, in the Hebron Independent Church. Burial and committal services will be held immediately following the funeral in the Hebron Independent Church Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Bethany Baptist Church in Bishopville; Hebron Independent Church in Cades; or the American Cancer Society . Brockington Funeral Home, Lake City, is in charge.