Obituary of Chanda Renee Wartel

Chanda Renee Matthews Wartel, 56-years-old, died on Saturday, March 16, 2019, at Baylor Boone Pickens Cancer Hospital in Dallas, Texas. After her valiant one year fight with a rare Appendix Cancer, her fight was over. Her strong will to live, unwavering faith in God, and the love and prayers of family, friends, and many supporters carried her through months of grueling Chemotherapy. Chanda was born on September 30, 1962 in Dallas, Texas to the late Robert Louis Matthews Sr. and Paula DeLois Taylor Matthews. One brother, Robert Louis Matthews Jr., also preceded her in death. She attended Dallas Independent Public Schools. She excelled in journalism, and participated in gymnastics, the Art Club, and Junior Achievement. She also danced with The Dallas Black Dance Theatre. After graduating from Skyline High School May 1981, she attended Prairie View A&M University. She later continued her studies and earned a Bachelor of Career Arts Degree from Dallas Baptist University December 16, 1988. Her quest to learn never waivered. She was in the process of earning a Masters Degree in Business Administration from Dallas Baptist University prior to being diagnosed with cancer. Most of her professional career was with Bank of America where she worked as a teller, mortgage specialist, and call center manager. In each position she received various recognitions honoring her for Excellent Leadership, Outstanding Performance, her Commitment to Business and Education Partnerships, and Loyal Commitment. While attending Prairie View A&M University she met and fell in love with Mark Wartel. They married January 1983 and to their union the star of Chanda’s life and essence of her being, Ashlee Dawn Wartel, was born September 5, 1983. As a young girl she was an active member of Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas. She participated in the Garden Club, choir, and junior usher board. That foundation grounded her and she maintained a strong desire to always be a part of a church family. As an adult she joined St. John Baptist Church in Grand Prairie, Texas and served in the Music and Women’s Ministry in addition to the Junior Mission. In addition to being known for her intelligence, she always possessed a contagious smile and an entertaining sense of humor. Throughout her life she maintained a simple demeanor that won the trust and hearts of many. Her signature gift of joy, shown through her constant smiling, laughter, and joking around, will never be forgotten. With a real zest for life, Chanda loved to dance, write, read, pray, color, create awesome scrapbooks, pens and gift baskets, travel, and spend entertaining moments with friends and family. She is survived by her daughter Ashlee Dawn Wartel of Grand Prairie, Texas; one brother; Darrell Wayne Matthews of Grand Prairie, Texas; one sister and brother-in-law, Carmelia Ann McCrumbly (John Paul) of Grand Prairie, Texas; Two half sisters; Carol Jean Matthews of Dickinson, Texas; Crystal Matthews of Dallas, Texas; nieces; nephews, cousins, and a host of other relatives and friends. Although she never had grandchildren of her own, she declared herself “Auntie Grandmother” to her great niece, Taylor Janelle Crawford. The two of them shared a special bond and had heartfelt names for one another. She was Taylor’s Gigi and Taylor was her “Tay Tay Pooda Bear Diva Extraordinaire”. Only Taylor’s Gigi could call her that name. So, she told Taylor to retire the name once she expired and caress it in her heart. Our Chanda Bonda, as I affectionally called her, leaves her legacy of love and devotion forever embedded in our memories and hearts.