Lou Banister Chandler

Lou Banister Chandler

March 1, 1949 – January 28, 2026

Lou Banister Chandler was an artist, designer, and extraordinarily capable woman with a talent for mastering any task that caught her interest.

A gifted painter, she worked across many mediums, guided by impeccable taste and an instinctive sense of beauty. Lou was brilliantly smart, wickedly funny, and fiercely loyal. She believed there was a right way to do things and usually knew what it was.

Born and raised in South Carolina, Lou attended Ashley Hall. She earned a BA in fine art from Queen’s College in Charlotte and an MA in fine art from the University of South Carolina. After college, she worked in the advertising world in the 1970s and 1980s and served as art director for The Charlotte Observer and The State newspaper.

A lifelong music enthusiast, she saw many of the great musicians of her generation in concert. She was also a ballroom dancer in her younger years and later used her artistic talent to create sets and costumes when her daughter took up ballet.

This past year, Lou faced a relentless battle with neuroendocrine cancer. She met it with clarity and grit, continuing to engage with the world despite the toll of the disease. Throughout her illness, she relied deeply on her faith, which sustained her and gave her strength to endure what could not be fixed.

She was a loving daughter, a devoted mother, and a caring friend. She adored her grandchildren.

Lou was preceded in death by her parents, Mattie Lou and Henry Banister. She is survived by her daughter, Cate Chandler Brown (Tyler Brown); her grandchildren, Luke Brown and Genevieve Brown; and her husband, William Chandler, Jr.

A graveside service will be held on February 9, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at Sacred Grove Preserve, 957 Bogey Lane, St. Stephen, South Carolina.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Lou’s name to Ann Brodie’s Carolina Ballet. https://givebutter.com/ann-brodies-carolina-ballet