Sandra Chandler Bryan
Sandra Chandler Bryan of Powell, Wyoming, passed to the arms of her Savior on October 23, 2021, at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Billings, Montana, at the age of 79. She died after months of declining health.
She was a truly poised and graceful lady. Services are planned for Monday, November 1, at 10 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church, 2nd and Bernard Streets, Powell, Wyoming.
A viewing will be held 5-7 p.m. the evening before. Internment will take place in Billings, Montana, at a later date.
Sandra Joyce Chandler was born April 16, 1942, in Ruston, to Victor Hugo and Sylvia Esther (Willis) Chandler. She is the younger of two children.
She is survived by her sister, Carole Stelly (husband Russ Stelly) of Lafayette. Her father worked in the laundry business. She remembers her father was a “gentleman,” and was always well dressed for his work. Her mother was a homemaker. Her earliest memory is of having measles at the age of three.
She remembers neighbors from the upstairs apartment came to visit her, and brought her a gift. In 1948 the family moved into the house on the corner at 309 Garden Street in Ruston. This was the Chandler family home for 50 years. The family would sit on the front porch during the heat of the evening and talk to the neighbors across the street, who were also sitting on their front porch.
She remembers her sister, Carole, and she would ride bikes up and down the street. She said putting her bike away at night in the dark was one of her scariest memories of childhood.
Sandy Chandler attended Ruston High School. Locker assignments were by alphabetical order. She took notice of the handsome boy who was assigned to the locker next to hers: Roy Bryan. Sandy needed an escort for the upcoming Kit Kat Klub New Year’s Formal, December 31, 1958. She asked Roy if he would escort her to the Formal. This was the first of many dates.
In high school, Sandra Chandler was voted “Most Sophisticated” by her high school class, and Roy Bryan was voted “Most Handsome” by the same high school class. They graduated high school together in 1960.
Roy Glynn Bryan married Sandra Chandler in the Grace Methodist Church on December 21, 1963, during Christmas break from Louisiana Tech in Ruston. They celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary with family at the annual Stone Family Camp, J Bar J Ranch, near Sealy, Texas.
To their union were born three children, Roy Glynn Bryan, Jr. (wife Sonja Bryan) of Coldspring, Texas; Alan Chandler Bryan (wife Jamie Bryan) of Billings, Montana; and Katherine Ann Hooton (husband Tom Hooton) of Gering, Nebraska. At the time of her death she had 18 grandchildren and three greatgrandchildren.
Sandra said she wanted to study to be a secretary. Her mother and sister noted her love of sewing and cooking, and urged her to major in home economics instead. She did, and said she has never regretted that decision. She said when her children were growing into adulthood, “I took pleasure in just all of the activities.” She made outdoor items for her husband to wear.
She also enjoyed many hours of ceramics with Mrs. Norma Scott as the teacher. With her background and skill in cooking and sewing, she served as a judge at the Park County Fair for several years. She and her husband were members of the First United Methodist Church of Powell. She served on the board of directors for the church for many years. As their children were growing, her husband encouraged her to take college classes, so that she could provide for herself if something happened to him.
When her children were taking classes at Northwest College, she also took secretarial and transcription classes. She then worked as transcriptionist and receptionist for Dr. Jack Wurzel in Powell. She said she thoroughly enjoyed working there, and enjoyed the people.
Her greatest joy is her family, especially that handsome boy who had the locker next to hers in high school. Sandra Bryan is survived by her husband of 57 years, Roy Glynn Bryan Sr. She is also survived by all of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, and by innumerable friends. The joy she brought to all makes the sadness of her departing even greater.
