On October 7, 1928, in the settlement of Watson's Bottom near Grayson, Oklahoma, the union of Emanuel and Leontine Goudeau Chaney was blessed with a daughter, whom they named Leonis Merlene. She was known as "Toot" to her parents and siblings, "Mother Dear" to her children, "Mother" or "MeMa" to her grandchildren, great-grandchildren and "Lee" or "Aunt Leonis" to those others who were dear to her.

Mother Dear was Christened as an infant into the Catholic Faith and began her Christian walk at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Grayson, Oklahoma. It was in this community that she received her formal education as well.

At the age of 18, she and her family moved to Okmulgee, Oklahoma and united with Uganda Martyr's Catholic Church, where she remained devoted to her faith until her hour of her transition.

She began her nursing career at the Colored Hospital in Okmulgee under the guidance of Dr. Lawrence P. Stephens and remained an employee of the hospital until it's colosing. She continued work in the field of nursing at Grey's Nursing Center, Leisure Manor Nursing Center in Okmulgee and Bono's Nursing Center in Henryetta, Oklahoma, before her retirement. It was then that she became a private duty sitter for several families in Okmulgee, caring for their sick or elderly family members. She was a Certified Medication Aide and pursued her LPN certification, but was unable to complete due to a knee injury.

Ms. Chaney was very active in the education of her children and other children in the community. She served as homeroom Mother at Banneker Elemenatry and at Historic Dunbar High School. She also served as a Band Parent for the Dunbar Tiger Marching Band from 1962 to 1949, for which she was honored in 20025 for her years of service by the Dunbar High School Class of 1968.

Mother Dear was blessed with such a nurturing spirit, not only for her own family, but for so many others. She loved ot quilt and cook, but her passions were fishing and making Sour Dough and Hobo Bread. She did not eat fish, but gave her catch to anyone that wanted it. Her breads were a "must have" and she made them and shipped them to anyone, anywhere. Her recipes for her breads were given to anyone who aked, along iwth the instructions to call her if help was needed.

On Tuesday, January 9, 2007, at the hour of 12:40 P.M., Mother Dear was gently called to rest from her earthly duties, surrounded by her loved ones. She was preceded into rest by her parents, a sister, Mary E. Jackson, a brother, Joseph O. Chaney, 2 infant sisters, a nephew, Milton L. Chaney and a great-great-granddaughter, Naryiah S. Lewis.

She leaves to continue her legacy of love, nurturing and devotion; a son, Joseph E. Murdock [Charlene] of Tulsa, Oklahoma; two daughters, Cassaundra R. Haygood and Theresa E. Haygood, both of Okmulgee, Oklahoma; two nephews she raised as her own, Columbus T. Jackson, Okmulgee, Oklahoma and Paul R. Jackson [Dezetta], Grayson, Oklahoma; a brother, Edgar J. Chaney, Sr., Houston, Texas; seven grandchildren; twenty-three great-grandchildren; fourteen nephews; three nieces; her best friend, Rachel Smith; along with a multitude of other relatives and friends.

The funeral mass for Ms. Chaney will be celebrated on Thursday, January 18, 2007 at 11:00 A.M. in Uganda Martyr's Catholic Church. Father Benjamin Vima, Celebrant.
Burial will follow in Sacred Heart Cemetery at Grayson, Oklahoma.

You may visit "Mother Dear" as she slumbers at the funeral home in Okmulgee on Wednesday from 12 Noon to 6 PM.