Page 68 - Senior Link Magazine Winter 2023 - Online Magazine

Focus
FAMILY

The Becknell Women

Hearts of Gold

by Ivy Zepeda

his is a story of three sisters, each with unique gifts
and talents. One knows all the latest fashions: one is a
still have their mother, the one who nurtured those golden "
Tfabulous cook, and the youngest is an exercise master. Brenda, Robin, Wanda & Donna
Each of the sisters has a heart of gold, regularly going out of
their way to help someone in need, and they are fortunate to
Brenda is amazing! She can do anything. She is so organized and so
hearts. calm, and always willing to help. She was the perfect person to handle
our daughter’s wedding."
~ Longtime friend, Deb Smith
Wanda Becknell is “Mother” to her three daughters, “Nana”
to her four grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and dearly
loved by family and friends. Wanda Sawyers grew up in Idalou
and attended West Texas A&M. She and her husband Eugene Donna Chandler, the middle
founded Becknell Wholesale in downtown Lubbock in 1951, sister, a graduate of West Texas
and her sons-in-law, Don Walker and Ron Chandler, have A&M, has built a reputation as
run the respected agricultural and industrial supply company one of the best bakers and chefs
for many years. Wanda has always been generous and caring around. She is a master in the
towards others, even after losing her husband. Perhaps her kitchen and is best known for her
greatest contribution to the world and to the Lubbock area are chocolate chip cookies, brownies,
her three dynamic daughters. All three were raised on their peanut brittle, and rolls. Donna
daddy’s farm in Idalou, and consequently, all three are hard has been very involved with the
workers just like their mother. Wanda isn’t exactly resting South Plains Food Bank for many
on her laurels, but she finally has the time to play bridge years. She goes out of her way
occasionally. to help anyone in need. She is
married to Ron Chandler, and
Donna with former Food Bank they have two children and three
Brenda Becknell, the oldest of Director David Weaver grandchildren.
the sisters, earned a degree in
Education at Texas Tech and
became an English teacher. In "
1976, she purchased Robert We are extremely grateful to Donna for her dedication and
Spence Agency (RSA), a commitment to move our mission forward. Her belief that nobody
booking agency/management should ever go without food fuels her passion to ensure we continue
company, licensed and bonded, our fight against hunger.”
representing models and ~ Dina Jeffries, CEO, South Plains Food Bank.
actors for film and television
production, commercials, music
Brenda videos, fashion events and more. Robin Walker,* the youngest of the Becknell girls, also
She has taught professional graduated from Texas Tech University. She was an athlete
modeling since 1972 and is brilliant at producing benefits and growing up and loved basketball, track, dancing, and
corporate events. She is famous in the community as a fashion gymnastics. She always said she could never sit behind a
show stylist, emcee, and professional speaker. Many Tech and desk! After over 30 years of teaching tumbling and gymnastics
TTUHSC students have benefitted from her guest lectures on to youth in Lubbock area towns, she changed her focus to
etiquette. teaching aerobic exercise classes to senior citizens.

68 Lubbock Senior Link