Rochelle Paulette (Dossett) Chandler

      Life’s Reflections

Rochelle Paulette (Dossett) Chandler, affectionately known as “Shelley”, “Nahni” and “Chell Girl”, departed this life peacefully at home on January 28, 2021 surrounded by family. She was born on December 26, 1950 in Kansas City, Kansas, the fifth child of Elihue A. and Mayme R. Dossett. She is preceded in death by her parents; husband Marvin W. Chandler; daughter Brandi L. Fryer; sisters Marilyn J. Hall and Marianna Brewer and brothers David A. Dossett and Earl S. Dossett.

Rochelle attended public schools in Kansas City, Kansas and graduated from Sumner High School in 1968. During high school, she was involved in the Literary Explorers Club, Horizon Club, and the Courier Staff. She was very active with the Class of 68, attending class meetings, lunches, church visits and breakfast meetings. She was also actively involved with the 50th Class Reunion.

Rochelle began her career as an understudy to Crawford and Maxine Williams at Kiddie Kollege Nursery School in 1967 at the age of 16. She often reminded her niece Jill that she had to walk her to and from school every day. She spent over 50 years educating and nurturing students to reach their fullest potential. As a pre-school teacher, she not only taught the love of learning and singing, but most importantly, found something special about each child to help them learn to love themselves.

She was an important icon in the Wyandotte County community. She was a mother to some and dedicated care provider to others. She played a huge role in shaping the lives of those who came in contact with her. When you walked in her classroom, her vision came to life from any event that happened from January to December.

Rochelle was an all-around teacher, finding creative ways to educate her students. For exercise, you would often see Mrs. Chandler walking her students through Parkwood and Boston Daniels Parks on Quindaro Blvd, showing and teaching them the history of their community and taking pride in the area of which they lived.

As stated in the tribute to Rochelle by Staci Seeley: Loyal and true and kind and giving, she took her legacy and made Kiddie Kollege stay exactly what it is: a loving, safe haven for excellence and pride. From the Mamas and Papas fashion show choreographed dances and catwalks to Black History program recitations delivered by four-year old’s to every stanza of Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing learned WELL by all students, to Halloween and Thanksgiving and Christmas songs to mortar boards on straight at graduation, Rochelle led and supported all of us. Creatively! Her bulletin boards were works of art. She won those monthly contests regularly! And fashionably! She was so tall and graceful and always wearing beautiful clothes. I don’t think I ever saw her without style and flair.

Rochelle was united in holy matrimony to Marvin Wendell Chandler on April 3, 1974 and to this union three children were born. She was a member Our Lady & St Rose Catholic Church, where she sang in the choir until her health failed.

She leaves to cherish her memories: two daughters: Traci R. Hullaby (Christopher) and Ashlei R. Harris (Sheldon) of Kansas City, Kansas; one son: Ian M. Chandler (Tara) of Grain Valley, Missouri; 12 grandchildren: Whitleigh Brunt (Tampa, Florida), Paige B. Bradley (Olajawon), Christopher A. Hullaby, Sidney O. Harris, Alissa C. Harris, Aubrei R. Harris, all of Kansas City, Kansas, Tobias Fryer, Olivia Fryer and Solomon Fryer, all of Kansas City, Missouri, Marlee Maring, Stephen Ross and Anthony Burch, all of Grain Valley, Missouri; five great grandchildren: Elijah Brunt of Olathe, Kansas and Eliza Brunt of Raytown, Missouri, Nia M. Bradley, Mylah N. Bradley and Olajawon Bradley, Jr (O2) all of Kansas City, Kansas; one brother: Edward W. King, III (Portia) of Kansas City, Kansas; special friends Joe and Peggy Taylor, Ronald Lucas, Cora “Hope” Vallier, John and Abna Waddell and Clayton Bailey; and a host of other relatives and friends.

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