Margaret Eloise Nelson Chandler, 97, of Henry, South Carolina, widow of William Jackson Chandler, Jr., passed away on December 5, 2018, following a brief illness. Born on October 6, 1921, Margaret was the eldest child of the late Henry Carrington Nelson, Sr., and Margaret Ruth Wilson Nelson of Indiantown. After graduating from Indiantown High School, she went on to Winthrop College, where she received her degree and certification to teach in 1942. She fondly recalled her time as majorette at Winthrop, which included participating in the marching band that represented South Carolina at the World's Fair in New York City. After college, Margaret returned home to teach elementary and middle school at Indiantown and Hemingway. Married in 1946, she took a break from what became an eighteen-year teaching career to raise her two children. A faithful member of Union United Methodist Church for over seventy years, she taught Sunday School and served in church leadership positions. She also enjoyed membership in the Margaret Gregg Gordon Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

Affectionately called "Granny" in her later years, Margaret was known for her sharp wit, attention to style, and open-door policy – of which those close to her took full advantage, especially at dinner time. She lived her life purposefully and independently and was a matriarch devoted to the well-being and interests of her family. Nothing brought her more pleasure than the fellowship and milestones of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband of sixty-six years, William, and her son, William Henry (Ann Rodgers) Chandler, both of whom she loved beyond measure, as well as her brother, Henry C. Nelson, Jr., and sister, Fay N. Ginn. She is survived by her daughter, Claire Chandler (Ralph) Harrell and her four grandchildren, J.W. Nelson (Anna) Chandler, Martha C. (Rob) Westbrook, Daniel E. (Jessica) Harrell, and Ann Paisley S. Chandler, and six great-grandchildren, Fisher J. Harrell, Ellie B. Harrell, William H. J. Chandler, George C. N. Chandler, Margaret B. Westbrook, and Alice S. Westbrook.

Funeral services, conducted by Morris Funeral Home of Hemingway, will be held at 1:00 PM, Saturday, December 8, 2018, at Union United Methodist Church. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends after the service in the church fellowship hall. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the William H. Chandler Fund at Indiantown Presbyterian Church, 4865 Hemingway Highway, Hemingway, SC, 29554, or the Cemetery Fund at Union United Methodist Church, 8209 Rose Hill Rd., Georgetown, SC 29440.