Jennifer Rosser Chandler

Jennifer Rosser Chandler, 76, passed away Thursday, June 22, 2023.

Jennifer was born February 12, 1947 to Sam Sparks and Lilly Grace (Borders) Rosser in Waco, Texas. She and her two older brothers lost their Mother, Lilly Grace, in 1958. When her father remarried in 1962, she gained a second Mother in Jimmie Marie and 3 additional siblings.

Jennifer graduated from Victoria High School in 1965, and afterwards, attended Victoria College, where she met her future husband. April 20, 1967, she married Joe Fred Chandler and subsequently had three children. During the next 29 years, she spent her time as a loving mother and supportive wife and also held several different positions serving others.

She spent many years as a teacher’s aid in the Special Education Department at Shiner ISD, a primary caretaker for her mother-in-law, a nail technician, and several different cafeteria service positions.
After a divorce in 1996, she went back to College and attended Sam Houston State University. In 1999, she earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Studio Art. She continued her life of service by being a live-in care-giver to special needs youth and young adults at Bayes Acheivement Center in Huntsville and a substitute teacher for College Station ISD.

Throughout her entire life, Jennifer was an active member of her church family. She lived her life through trust and faith in God, and shared that with everyone around her in her actions as well as words. Through the different stages of her life, she found comfort, support, and friendship with her church families. Those of note being Shiner Baptist Church and Elkins Lake Baptist Church.

Family was the most important thing in Jennifer’s life. She loved visiting with her children and grandchildren, and would do anything she could to be involved in their activities.
She will always be remembered for her smiles, laughter and hugs, which you were going to get whether you wanted one or not.

Jennifer was preceded in death by her parents: Lilly Grace, Sam Sparks, and Jimmie Marie Rosser, and her brother: Sam Douglas Rosser. She is survived by her children: Julie Zapalac (Charles), Jo Gina Mooney (Steven), and Joe Fred Chandler Jr., her grandchildren: Samuel Chandler, Timothy Chandler and Charles “C.J.” Zapalac, and her siblings: Terry Rosser, Carolyn Daves, Larry McSwain, and Eddie McSwain.

A time of visitation will be from 5:00-7:00 pm, Thursday, July 6, 2023 at Callaway-Jones Funeral Center in Bryan. Funeral services will be at 3:00 pm, Friday, July 7, 2023 at Callaway-Jones.  Interment will be in North Belton Cemetery in Belton at 10:30 am on Saturday.