Sarah Margaret Chandler

Sarah Margaret Chandler passed away on Friday, October 6, 2023 at the age of 81. At the time of death she resided in Salisbury. She was born on August 7, 1942 to Jarrett T. Chandler and Annabelle Slack Chandler in Charleston, West Virginia. Sarah grew up until age 16 in various locations in West Virginia. At age 16, she and her family moved to North Haledon N.J. when her father accepted a pastorate at First Baptist Church in Paterson, N.J.

On September 8, 1962, Sarah married Robert Edward Planten and they subsequently had 4 sons born in their marriage, namely Ronald David Planten, Donald Wayne Planten, Drew Edward Planten and Duane Allen Planten.

In May 1973, after her children were born, Sarah received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Early Childhood Education from William Paterson University in Wayne, N.J. Subsequently, she opened a Nursery School of her own called Milton Early Leaming Center, after serving an apprenticeship at another nursery school in West Milford, N.J. Sarah was in this position for 13 years before she donated the school to the Milton United Methodist Church.

In 1985, Sarah enrolled in a paralegal program at Montclair State College and after completing the program was hired by New Jersey Bell Telephone legal department as a paralegal in Newark, N.J. In May of 1987, Sarah was accepted in Cooley Law School in Lansing, Michigan and she completed her law degree in May 1990, while working full time to support her 4 sons at an East Lansing Michigan Law Firm. Sarah clerked for an Eaton County Circuit Court Judge after completing law school and passing the Michigan bar. In May of 1991, Sarah opened her law practice in Charlotte, Michigan where she practiced law until she retired in 2017.

Sarah was very active in community service in and around the Lansing and Charlotte areas. She was one of the founders of Siren, Inc., and now known as Siren/Eaton Shelter, Inc, a· domestic violence and homeless shelter for victims of abuse and homelessness. Sarah was past member and president of Charlotte Kiwanis Club, Past president and member of Lansing Torch Club and past member and president of Altrusa Club of Greater Lansing. She was a former member of the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.

Sarah received the Lansing State Journal's People's Choice Award for Charlotte Attorney in 2010 and 2011. Also received the Community Cornerstone Award from Mayor Brown of Charlotte.

Sarah was also active in Central United Methodist Church when she was a member there. She went to Europe on a Central United Methodist Choir Tour singing with the choir in churches in Austria, East Germany and Czechoslovakia. She also served on the Board of Trustees, Administrative Board, Worship Committee, Choir president, Music Committee and taught Sunday School. After retiring, she moved to Salisbury, NC and was a member of First United Methodist Church serving in the choir and teaching Sunday School. She volunteered with Rowan Helping Ministries and the Family Crisis Council of Rowan. She was a member of the Salisbury Kiwanis Club.

Sarah is survived by her sons Ronald David Planten, Albion Michigan, Donald Wayne Planten, of Salisbury, NC, and Duane Allen Planten of Charlotte, Michigan, grandson, Jonathan Robert Planten of Mesa, Arizona, her sister Anna Chandler Wilkins of San Diego, CA and her brother, Dr. Jarrett T. Chandler, Jr. of Salisbury, N.C.

Sarah was preceded in death by her father Dr. Jarrett, T. Chandler, in 1974, her mother Annabelle Slack, Chandler Ramseur, in 2006, and her son, Drew Edward Planten in 2006.

A memorial service will be held in Sarah's memory at 2:00 PM on Tuesday, November 7, 2023 at First United Methodist Church, 217 S. Church St, Salisbury, NC 28144, with the Rev. Mark Conforte officiating. Interment will be held at Highland Memorial Gardens in Dublin, VA.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church of Salisbury, the Rowan Family Crisis Council, or Rowan Helping Ministries.

Lyerly Funeral Home serves the Chandler family. Online condolences may be made at www.lyerlyfuneralhome.com.

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