Memphis, TN - Robbie Verdell Chandler, 89, was called to his heavenly home on January 29, 2017. He was born June 13, 1927 to James and Mary Chandler in Carroll County, Tennessee. Verdell Chandler moved to Memphis in his early twenties. He worked at the Defense Depot Memphis for 33 years. When they started to convert to computers in 1985, he decided it was time to retire. This allowed him to spend more time with his family, especially his grandsons, and enjoy being Granddaddy and "Grandbuddy". He also enjoyed buying and reselling vintage tools and working with his nephew, Stan O'Neal, at farm equipment auctions. Retirement also allowed him to watch every St. Louis Cardinals game that was on TV. He was a lifelong Cardinal fan and was always talking about how their season was going. Verdell shared a wonderful 66 years with his bride, Mazel. They were the epitome of a loving couple. From holding hands or a glance between them, you could always see their love for each other. Family was always first for them and they were always willing to help others or just sit with someone in a time of need to show them they weren't alone. Verdell Chandler followed in his father's footsteps for some of his major interests. His father was a farmer and Verdell loved his garden of fresh vegetables. His father was also a carpenter. Verdell used his woodworking skills to build toys, furniture, decks, storage building and anything else someone in the family wanted or needed. "Grandbuddy's Workshop", as it was called, has quite the collection of vintage tools to go along with his "go to" tools. He is preceded in death by his parents, James A. and Mary Woodard Chandler, his wife Mazel Elizabeth Webb Chandler and two brothers, Lowell Chandler and Lee Maxell Chandler. He is survived by three daughters, Brenda (Mark) Taylor, Marilyn K. Chandler and Deborah A. (Rick) Woodring; grandsons, Jonathan K. (Jennifer) Roland, Jason W. (Jessica) Roland and Derek Chandler (Amanda) Woodring; great-grandchildren, Ashley Roland, Lindsey Roland, Sonya Cohen, Terah Woodring, Logan Woodring and Wyatt Roland; a sister, Ruby Morris, brother, Doyle Chandler and numerous nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends on Friday, February 3, 2017 from 6-9 p.m. at Memphis Funeral Home, 5599 Poplar Avenue, Memphis. Funeral services will be conducted on Saturday February 4 at 2 p.m. in the chapel of Memphis Funeral Home with Brother David Love officiating. Interment will follow at Memphis Memory Gardens, 6444 Raleigh LaGrange, Memphis, TN. Special thanks to Sandra Jones for being Verdell's caregiver for the last two years as she had done for his wife, Mazel, several years before her death. Sandra's care and compassion is greatly appreciated by the family. Memphis Funeral Home (Published in The Commercial Appeal on Feb. 2, 2017)