Contributions to the tribute of Ben A. Chaney, Jr.

R

Monday, April 8, 2024

Sorry for your loss Sending prayers to Jannie B my classmate and family

M

Saturday, February 24, 2024

Carolyn Goodman and others intervened and pushed Mrs. Chaney and "little" Ben to move north for safety after the assassinations of "Schwerner, Chaney and Goodman" during Freedom Summer, 1964. I do not know if Ben's siblings stayed in Mississippi. Dr. Goodman arranged for Ben to get a scholarship to The Walden School in Manhattan. As Ben said, "there I was living in the projects (in the Bronx) traveling across town to Walden. It was like being on the moon". Through school contacts who worked at Walden, Ben went to the Shaker Village Work Group, a unique teen based summer community "progressive work camp". Ben was 14, nearly 15, when we shared the summer of 1967 at Shaker Village. Ben told me many years later that what he learned at Shaker became the foundation for how he worked with teenagers and how he planned and executed several Voter Registration Drives. Ben was to spend the summer of 1968 at Shaker, but he made a life changing choice to work with the Black Panthers. (Am I correct?) In the late 1980's-early 1990's, I found out that Ben had been arrested in 1970 (?) and might still be in jail. In 1996, I saw an interview with Ben on television. He was working as a paralegal in the office of Ramsey Clark, former U.S. Attorney General, located in NYC. I tracked him down and showed up at their office. There, standing in front of me, was a taller, balder Ben Chaney!! I asked, "do the words Shaker Village mean anything to you?" He answered, "they mean a great deal." Thus, started a new chapter of life for both of us. Ben put me in charge of Programming and Planning the content of two Voter Registration Drives in 1999 and 2004. These were achieved with Ben's contacts around the country. Melva's tribute/memory shows photos and a brief description of the 2004 drive. One of our goals was to simulate a Shaker Village community/group. This we accomplished on both Drives. Ben and I kept working and planning for what we would do after the trial of Edgar Ray Killen in 2005. At one point, Ben told me that I was "the female Ben Chaney"; quite a surprise to me! So, we called and emailed each other until Ben had his strokes, about 2013 or 2014. We have tried to speak on the phone several times, but I was unable to understand him. I also planned to visit Ben, but each time something or another got in the way. Well, I can tell you that losing Ben so suddenly has sent me into a downward spiral for several weeks now. We were a team; going it without him or his skills or encouragement is hard to imagine. However, looking at what Ben's sister Julia has been doing, there may be some daylight and a future for social action (for us Seniors)! Ben, charming as he was ("the Chaney charm"), was also dedicated to the Big Picture for civil rights. His charm could move most people to see "The Prize". That's why he was a true Leader.

M

Mack Williams posted a condolence

Saturday, February 24, 2024

Ben was a great man and activist on behalf of justice. May we continue his fight until the end.

B

Bernice Sims and Family purchased flowers

Friday, February 23, 2024

Bernice Sims and Family

purchased the Rural Beauty Dishgarden for the family of Ben Chaney, Jr.. Send Flowers

We pray the love of God enfolds you during your journey through grief.

M

Melva L Bradford uploaded photo(s)

Friday, February 23, 2024

I was one of the participants who traveled from NY to MS and back in June 2004. This experience with Ben Chaney made all those stories I grew up hearing real. The story of James Earl Chaney, his work and commitment came alive in the eyes of his younger brother. However, Ben was an unwavering, inspirational force for justice and I'm so glad I had the experience. I always hoped I could see him again in this life that was not the case. I will love and appreciate him forever for the work he did and the time he took with me. To the family, you don't know me but my heart breaks right along with you. Please accept my most sincere condolences and prayers for peace.

c

The family of Ben A. Chaney, Jr. uploaded a photo

Sunday, February 11, 2024

In loving memory of

Ben

1952 - 2024