Edward E. “Duke” Chandler

July 15, 1935 - April 7, 2021
Edward E. “Duke” Chandler

Edward E. Chandler (“Duke” to those that knew him) , age 85, passed away at his home in Chocowinity surrounded by family on April 7, 2021. He was a resident of Beaufort County.

There will be a graveside service at Oakdale cemetery at 3:00 pm Saturday, April 10. The family will receive friends at the funeral home at 2:00 pm prior to the service.

Duke was born on July 15, 1935, the son of the late David Carrington Chandler and Susie Chandler. Duke met a young Shirley Williams and was awestruck, and shortly thereafter she became Mrs. Shirley Chandler on Easter Sunday, in April 1954. She was the love of his life and they were married for sixty-seven years.

He had a variety of jobs over the course of his life, including Woolworths and National Spinning; he worked for himself at Seaboard Motors before retiring in 1984, where it was said that he could sell sand to a camel. He liked working and it showed.

He had a variety of hobbies and interests, but music was one that never faltered. He played in many different bands and early on formed the “C-five”. Later, he could be seen with Little Creek, mixing it up with any number of stringed instruments -notably guitar and bass- and never without his playing-glasses perched on the tip of his nose, which is the only time he wore them.

Duke came from a large family and became the patriarch of one equally as large, spanning several generations. He was survived by his wife Shirley Chandler and two sons: Mike Chandler and wife Elaine of Washington, and Steve Chandler of Chocowinity; one daughter Karen Perry and husband Jimmie Perry of Washington; five Grandchildren: Joshua Chandler and wife Olivia of Washington, Michelle May and husband David of Washington, Jonathan Chandler and partner Michelle Phillips of Washington, Ashley Morrow, Brent Alligood and wife Vanessa; and six great-grand-children: Morgan and Reagan May, Braden Henderson and Annie Morrow, and Benjamin and Noah Alligood.

He was preceded in death by his mother and father as well as two sisters: Ruth Moore and Gladys Clark; and six brothers: Guilford Chandler, Ben Chandler, Jasper “Pete” Chandler, Leaman “Nub” Chandler, Ernest Chandler, and Eural “Red” Chandler.

Joseph B. Paul Jr. & Washington Funeral and Cremation are handling the arrangements for the Chandler family.

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  • April 08, 2021
    Mary Jo Dixon Latham says:
    So sorry to hear about Duke's passing. He was always a fine person.

  • April 09, 2021
    Luther and Loretta Bailey says:
    Shirley, Mike & Elaine, Love & prayers for your family.

  • April 09, 2021
    william barr says:
    going to miss that man i had realy enjoyed being around this man a wonderfull man my prayers go out to his family may god bless them thru these trying times

  • April 09, 2021
    Debbie Bridgeman says:
    Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends!! Will be missed by many!! God Bless!! Debbie Bridgeman Sandi Taylor

  • April 11, 2021
    Arlene Everett-Morin says:
    To family of Duke Chandler, sending prayers to the family. Great guy and talented artist. Met years ago and enjoyed going to play music with Duke and Shirley. I know he will be missed . Sending prayers