Obituary of Phoebe Ella French

PHOEBE ELLA CHANDLER FRENCH 78, of Searsport, Maine, made the transition from her earthly home to her heavenly home on Sunday, May 4, 2025 to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ and a host of family, fellow believers and friends who are gathered there.

Phoebe was the fifth child born to Clifford L. and Juanita K Chandler, Sr. on December 1, 1946 in Jonesport, Maine. She spent the next eighteen years enjoying life in a small Maine town.  She attended the schools and graduated from Jonesport High School with the class of 1965.

In September of 1965 she headed to Bangor, Maine to attend Husson College. She completed her first semester and then entered the work force working in offices of several companies over the years.

In those years she was married, had a son and moved on as a single mother until meeting and marrying her beloved husband in 1972.  Phoebe, her son Tim, Gerry and his daughter Terri, were a family of four until along came a baby boy, Gerry Jr., to complete the joy of the family.

She became a member of the community of Searsport which she loved as much as her childhood community of Jonesport.

The family became members of Searsport Full Gospel and served in ministry there until 2003. Phoebe was active in leadership and many other roles. She was Director of Christian Education from 1977 through 1992. Searsport Church became well-known for its successful Sunday school across the Northern New England District of the Assemblies of God and at times the teachers and leader were seminar speakers at the AG Education Conferences.

Another vital ministry capacity in which Phoebe served was Missions Coordinator, raising funds and awareness of the responsibility of the church to spread the gospel around the world.

Intercessory Prayer ministry was practiced daily through early Morning Prayer and Bible Study, which has continued to this day. “Igniting a Passion for Prayer” founded by Fern Nichols, Moms In Touch International, was the pattern that she used to build her prayer ministry around.

She used the “OPERATION WORLD” Guide to pray for every nation of the world. Many other resources were significantly used to develop her own guide in praying for the State of Maine, its communities, their leadership, the schools public, private, home-schooled and more.

Phoebe’s greatest commitment, second only to her dedication to her Lord, was her love and support for her family. She always made herself available to help out wherever needed. She gave much involvement and support to her husband in the many projects he was involved in. They operated the successful photography business, PHOTOS MEMOIRS BY GERRY for many years. She loved her family unconditionally. They became known for their DVD custom slide shows for celebrations, graduations, and memorial remembrances.

In 2004, Gerry and Phoebe began to attend the Brooks Pentecostal Church. They have been involved in many works and ministries there. One of Phoebe’s favorite things that she did was design and make the valances that grace the sanctuary and the Pastor’s office windows.

She bore out her name found in Romans 16:1 & 2, which in the Full Life Study Bible KJV (her Bible of choice) notes states that “Phoebe was a deaconess in the church and helper of many."

Since 1998 she has faithfully listened to Pastor J. Vernon McGee, Through the Bible broadcast which has taken her through the Bible at least five times. She also obtained the five-volume set of the notes to use as she studied. She gleaned much from these studies and testified to that fact many times. She also used many other resources that were valuable to her.

Phoebe became known for her “Inspired Reflections” poetic writings. She has used these writings over the past 25 years to encourage many and honor people on various occasions.

She is survived by her loving husband, Gerry French, Sr; daughter, Terri Johnson, Andy, Sharon and Katie; son, Tim French, Varena and Polly Ella; and son, Gerry French, Jr. Beth, Timothy Robert, Gabriel Marcus and Elijah Spencer along many aunts, uncles, cousins, etc.

Her siblings, Lorena Rogers and family, Moore, Okla; Arleta and Lee Grant and family of Bangor, Addison and California; Clifford and Madelyn Chandler and family, of Skowhegan; Verlene Foss Perkins’ family of South Carolina, Florida and Madison, Maine; Shirley and Robert Beal and family of Beals Island, Southern Maine and New Hampshire; Susan and Ed Champagne and family of Rossville, Tenn. and Freeport, Maine; Sisters-in-law, Joyce Dean of Bucksport and Joanne French of Hot Springs, Ark.; special nieces Regina Snow, Searsport and Rachel, Tim and Olivia Wilson of Waldo. Special Friend, Daisy.

She was predeceased by Son-in-law, William Arthur Johnson; parents, Clifford and Juanita Chandler; Brother-in-law, Ronald Rogers; Sister and husband Verlene and Robert Perkins; and Brother-in-law, Jack Backman.

Service will be held at Brooks Pentecostal Church, 178 Monroe Highway, Brooks, Maine on Saturday May 10, 2025 with visiting hours from 10 – 11:00 a.m. followed by the memorial Service. There will be a period of time for refreshments, greeting family and sharing memories in fellowship hall following the service. 

In lieu of flowers, please make contributions in her memory to the Brooks Pentecostal/LCA, Activity Center Building Fund, 178 Monroe Highway, Brooks, Maine 04921.

Service will be live on YouTube, please search for @BrooksPentecostalChurch or go to this link: 

https://youtube.com/@brookspentecostalchurch?si=7eZGwkWM_Dvo4xN

Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.ripostafh.com