Leenita Janiece Chandler

Leenita Janeice Sego McClendon Chandler passed away peacefully at her home in Mesa, Arizona, on February 26, 2026.

Born on November 28, 1940, in Phoenix, Arizona, to Marvin Albert Sego and Jessie Lee Lakey Sego, Leenita was the third of six children. Leenita’s childhood included many adventurous stories, two of which were stitches after a fall on rocks in Flagstaff and an unforgettable encounter with a bed of red ants. She learned at a young age the motherly influence. She also learned the value of hard work while helping her family as a teenager: babysitting, cleaning, ironing, and later working long hours at the Chatterbox Café in Cottonwood, Arizona, where she learned to cook, bake, and serve her community.

Faith became Leenita’s anchor early in life.  Although she visited many churches as a young girl, she consistently felt peace and a sense of belonging at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and was baptized a member at age 11. She grew into a determined young woman who wanted a faithful life and a strong family, even when she felt she didn’t “measure up.”

Leenita met Eugene Alan McClendon, and they were married in 1958 in Cottonwood, Arizona. Together, they ran a chicken ranch. During their marriage, they were blessed with two daughters, Valorie and Becky. Eugene’s childhood rheumatic fever returned, and after months of illness and Leenita’s devoted care, he passed away in 1961. In the midst of grief, Leenita held to her faith and her purpose as a mother, trusting the Lord to guide her forward.

After Eugene’s death, Leenita moved to Mesa, Arizona, with her two little girls and two younger sisters. There, she was determined to build a stable life and keep her family close to the church. She enrolled at the newly opened Rose Mar Beauty College and attended the Mesa 6^th Ward, where friendships led her to meet Jimmy Keith Chandler, a kind and steady man who also knew grief, having lost his wife and baby daughter to illness. Leenita and Jimmy began dating and were married in December 1961, in Nogales, Arizona, and were later sealed in the Mesa, Arizona LDS Temple. Leenita and Jimmy made their home in Mesa (Lehi), Arizona, where they were embraced by a loving community. Together, they built a life grounded in faith, work, and family, being blessed with nine more children over the years.

Leenita and Jimmy worked side by side for decades in the family’s janitorial businesses. One in particular is the Nuss Building in Scottsdale, where all the children have many memories of working alongside their parents while they taught them unity, responsibility, and pride in honest work.

Leenita served in many callings in the church, but her favorite was teaching the children in Primary. She later cherished the years she and Jimmy served as missionaries at the Mesa Family History Center beginning in February 1997, where she loved helping patrons discover their roots and felt guided in her work.

Leenita’s greatest pride and joy in life was her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. They brought her so much joy. She served them tirelessly and effortlessly. She had a love for all babies, and whenever one was around, you could guarantee she was holding it, and would do so for hours. She was small in stature, but could hold her own, taking down and wrestling any one of her sons, grandsons, and granddaughters. She will always be remembered for her Sunday pot roast dinners (for anyone who showed up), Chevron runs, love of root beer and chocolate, disposable cameras, Scratchers, always knowing the count of her grandkids, the walls of her home covered in family pictures, and being the staple at baby blessings, baptisms, and weddings.

Leenita’s life testified of prayer, perseverance, and the sustaining power of the gospel. She is remembered with love for her devotion to family, her steady faith, and her deep gratitude for the life she was blessed to build.

She is survived by her eleven children: Valorie (Scott) Hansen, Becky Wyatt, Brian (Tami) Chandler, Douglas (Amy) Chandler, Jon (Jenny) Chandler, Jeffrey (Melanie) Chandler, Nancy (Dustin) Hineman, James (Melissa) Chandler, Bradley (Dawnett) Chandler, Craig (Heather) Chandler, and Kevin (Linda) Chandler;  48 grandchildren, 82 great-grandchildren, 2 great-great-grandchildren, and her sister Eda Harville.

She is preceded in death by her husband, parents, four siblings, and five grandchildren.

A viewing will be held from 9:00am to 10:00am on Friday, March 6, 2026, at the Lehi Stake Center, Address: 1430 N Grand, Mesa, AZ 85201.

Funeral services will follow immediately after the viewing.

The interment will be held at the Mesa City Cemetery

Arrangements by Bunker’s Garden Chapel, www.bunkerfuneral.com. Should this obituary appear anywhere but bunkerfuneral.com, please check our website for accurate details and service information.