Joseph "Corky" Allston Chandler, Sr.

Joseph Allston “Corky” Chandler died today, September 10, 2020 at 88. He was born January 21, 1932 at Conway Hospital. His mother was Genevieve Willcox Chandler from Marion and Murrells Inlet and his father, Thomas Mobley Chandler, Sr. was from Cedar Swamp and Murrells Inlet.

He attended Myrtle Beach schools and graduated with the class of 1949. Following his love of fixing things, he attended Clemson University in the class of 1953 but transferred to Carolina and graduated in 1954 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering.

He completed pilot training in the Air Force class of 1956 at Kinston, NC and Laredo, TX and flew as a co-pilot on C-124’s out of Donaldson AFB in Greenville, SC. While in the Air Force, he met his bride, Ann Grey Hedgepath in Conway at his Aunt Minnie’s flower shop. She was attending Columbia College at the time and they were married in 1957. They moved to Murrells Inlet and lived at Atalaya Castle as caretakers while he worked at the International Paper Company.

In 1962, they moved to Houston where he worked for NASA during the most exciting times of NASA’s history. His most memorable experience working at NASA was working on the moon experiments that the astronauts deployed. He was at Kennedy Space Center to install the experiments in the Saturn II aboard the Lunar Excursion Module. He and other engineers put their names on some disposable parts of the experiments, so their names are on the moon. One of the experiments they deployed is still in use today. He retired from NASA after 30 years.

In 1993, he and his dedicated wife moved back to Murrells Inlet, SC where they worked nine years tirelessly renovating his grandparents’ home, The Hermitage. They had previously moved the home in 1991 to its present resting place. With the help of Franklin “Snake” Smalls, the home stands today as a testament to his love of working with his hands and creating a “thing of beauty and joy forever.” The Hermitage has been their home for over 20 years. They have both been active members of Belin Methodist Church in Murrells Inlet.

He is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Ann, brother, Bill Chandler (Anne) and sister, June Hora. Also his children: Jo Ann Winston (Billy), June Chandler, Genevieve Culberson (Vic) and Joseph A. Chandler, Jr. (girlfriend-Gretchen); grandchildren: Steven Winston, Dyann Eller (Kevin), Melanie Winston, Joseph A. Chandler, III (Angeli), Victoria Culberson (Michael), Keaton Culberson (fiancé-Samantha), Ann Marie Chandler (fiancé-Anthony), Thomas (Stephanie) and Rebecca Culberson; great-grandchildren: Julia, Jackson, Hannah, Carter, Parker and Grady; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, brother, Tommy Chandler and sister, Genevieve Peterkin.

We would like to give our heartfelt thanks to the Amedisys Hospice Team from Georgetown and Happy Family Home Care, especially Kristie Jenkins and Leah Sowle for loving our Daddy as if he were family. 

At the request of the family, please consider memorial contributions in lieu of flowers. Donations in Joe's name may be made to https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/murrellsinlet2020

There will be a memorial ceremony in front of his beloved Hermitage on Saturday, September 12, 2020 at 11:00 AM.

To view this obituary and offer words of comfort through the online guest book, kindly visit the funeral home website at, www.burroughsfh.com

Burroughs Funeral Home & Cremation Services (843-651-1440) is honored to assist the family.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.