Clara Esther Chaney

At an early age, Clara was baptized at the New Zion Missionary Baptist Church, where she developed a solid foundation of faith, sense of community, and pride in her Mississippi roots.

Clara's academic journey progressed through Greenwood public schools where she excelled in her studies and extracurricular activities. Notably, she was crowned Homecoming Queen and participated in the marching band. Her passions for theatrical arts and foreign languages, led her to become a member of the Drama and French Clubs.

After high school in 1960, she matriculated at Jackson State College (now University). Majoring in English, her exceptional academic prowess catapulted her to the "Who's Who Among Colleges and Universities" list. And her election to the title of First Attendant to Miss JSC in 1963 was a testament to her intelligence, beauty, and popularity. Clara later pursued graduate studies at UCLA and the University of Michigan.

An active participant in her community, she became a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., where she contributed to philanthropic endeavors and the empowerment of Black women. She joined the Film Actors Guild in Los Angeles, securing a few minor movie roles. She also made seemingly effortless career transitions from teaching to managing sales at Xerox to owning her own State Farm agency.

Clara was a loving and devoted wife to her husband Alphonse for 42 years. She was a nurturing mother to her children Stacy, Jason, Kristina (stepdaughter), and Teyana (daughter-in-law); and she derived immeasurable happiness from her grandchildren Kayla, Chloe, and Kellen. Moreover, she never missed an opportunity to fellowship with all extended family and kinfolk.

On July 24, 2023, Clara peacefully passed away, leaving behind cherished memories for her family, friends, and all those who knew her. Her kindness, intellect, mentorship, and warm spirit will be sorely missed, and her legacy will forever be etched in our hearts.

She is pre-deceased by her brothers, Scott, Jr., and Solomon Hinton; her father, Scott Hinton; and her mother, Clara Hinton. Left to mourn her death are her husband, Alphonse Chaney; daughter, Stacy Sanders; son, Jason Chaney (Teyana); stepdaughter, Kristina Chaney; grandchildren, Kayla, Chloe, and Kellen Chaney; brother, William Hinton; sisters, Sarah Miller and Christine Hinton-Lee; and a host of family, sorors, and friends.