Barbara Chaney

Obituary For Barbara Chaney

Barbara Lee Chaney was born Barbara Louise Moone to Louise Elizabeth and Lonnie Moone in Chicago, IL. Her older brother, Lawrence McVey Jr. simply adored his baby sister. A bright student, she attended Corpus Christi Catholic School for elementary and Fenger High School (class of 1954) both located in Chicago. She attended one-year of college at Bradley University in Peoria, IL. Growing up her mother believed she should have access to every possible activity that would make for a well-rounded young lady. She played the clarinet but perfected the piano. After attending Sunday Mass, she would often play piano for a neighborhood Baptist church. But it was her enrollment in classical ballet classes at age 7 with the Mildred B. Haessler Ballet Group that would change her life. She loved all things theatrical, but her passion for the art of dance was palpable. She mastered classical ballet, modern, tap, and African dance, but ballet was her favorite. In 1960 she married Richard Allen Lee and they had one child, Terri Frances Lee (Freeman). After a brief respite from dance she founded Barbara’s School of Dance (BSOD) in the early 1960s. Wanting to make sure Black children in Chicago had the opportunity to experience classical ballet, BSOD taught modern dance as well but each student was required to obtain a foundation in classical ballet. In June of each year she would end the dance year with a “show.” It was distinguished from a dance recital because she would perform a full-length ballet followed by a modern dance performance (Modern Moods) that ended with her solo performance of Open Our Eyes by The Gospel Clefs. BSOD operated in Chicago until 1976 and exposed hundreds of Black children to classical ballet. She moved the dance school to Detroit after marrying Mr. Richard Latimore in 1975. She disbanded the school in 1979. Other hobbies included bowling, playing bridge, and reading. Professionally, she was an outstanding administrative and executive assistant. She began her clerical career working for the Chicago Urban League. When Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. came to Chicago, she served as his secretary during his visit. In 1967, she became one of the early group of African Americans hired by IBM. She worked for the technology giant for 19 years. After leaving IBM in Detroit, MI, she joined the staff of the Detroit Institute of Arts Founders’ Society working in the Development Department. She adored working at the Museum and relished walking through the myriad galleries during her lunch hour. It was at the Detroit Institute of the Arts where she met Mr. Luther Wayne Chaney. They fell in love and married in 1989. He preceded her in death in 2008. In 1999 Barbara and Wayne relocated to Columbia, MD outside Baltimore to live near her daughter, son-in-law, and grandchildren. Once relocated she joined the Smithsonian Institute’s Museum of American Art, again working in the Development Department. She retired from the Museum in 2004 and became a full-time grandmother (aka their personal taxi!). In 2014 when her daughter Terri relocated to Memphis, TN, she decided to join the family. Having never lived in the South she was skeptical but came to love her time in the Mid-South. She was an active volunteer with the National Civil Rights Museum, working in the Museum Shop three days a week. And she joined the Orange Mound Senior Center as a tap instructor at the age of 80! Barbara Lee Chaney had a zest for life. She never met a stranger. People were drawn to her caring and bubbly personality and her beautiful smile. She lived her life, truly believing the quote “Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass. It’s about learning to dance in the rain.” She is survived by her daughter, Terri Lee Freeman (Dr. Bowyer G. Freeman); three granddaughters Corryn Grace Freeman (Wilner Baptiste), Camille Louise Freeman, and Carmen Katherine Freeman; and three great-grandchildren Xander Bowyer Baptiste, Zora Elita Baptiste and Nour Lee Baptiste. Rest well Mommie, we love you and you will be missed!

In lieu of flowers please send contributions in Memoriam of Mrs. Barbara Lee Chaney, to: Orange Mound Senior Center, Booster Club, 2590 Park Avenue, Memphis, TN 38114 ATTN: Director,

Memorial Service: August 14, 2020 at 10:00 AM at RS Lewis and Sons Funeral Home Chapel- 2944 Walnut Grove Road Memphis, TN 38118. Services will be live streamed.

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