Samuel "Bucket" Chaney

Samuel Kay Chaney was born to Mary Wilson (Lynch) and Mitchell Chaney on June 6, 1948, in Evansville, Indiana. On Friday, May 17, 2024, at the age of 75, the Lord called him home.

Samuel received his GED from Earl C. Clements Job Corp.

Samuel’s love language was described as Acts of Service. He expressed his love and care by serving. He served his family by working at various employment agencies, including Bucyrus-Erie and Earl C. Clements Job Corp in Morganfield, KY. While at the Job Corp, he would often bring some of the students home for Holiday dinners who did not have a place to go.

Samuel served New Hope Baptist Church in Evansville, Indiana, for over 50 years. He was a Deacon and available to help wherever needed, including driving the church van to pick up and drop off members.

He served at Mason’s Funeral Home and Gaines Funeral Home for many years, making himself available to help wherever needed.

In the 1960s, he marched for Civil Rights and, many years later, ran for City Council in the hope of further serving his community. He said he would have won if his nickname had been printed on all the campaign ads.

Samuel was affectionately nicknamed “Bucket” by a relative when he was a young boy. The relative observed him kicking around tin buckets, and the name stuck. He enjoyed sitting on the porch, engaging with neighbors, laughing and joking with family and friends who came by, and attending cookouts. His favorite pastime was shooting pool, often bringing along his own pool stick.

His distinct walk could not be missed, with a pep in his step while swinging his right arm. He called it his “pimp walk.” While walking in the community, all knew from afar that it was him. No mistaking the walk.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Mary Wilson; father, Mitchell Chaney; stepfather, Otis Wilson; sister, Melva Lee Thomas; and granddaughter, K. Renae.

He leaves behind his loving wife, Katherine, of 56 years; three daughters, Consuelo (Shawn) W., Belinda (Bobby) T. and Amanda H.; seven grandchildren, Mya W., Alex W., Jazmine T., Kendrick (Denisha) T., Latitia (Jason) W., Ka’Nosha D., Amari D.; five great-grandchildren, Hannah W., Troy T., Julius R., Kylan T., and Samaj W.; four siblings: Robert C., Donald W., Dixie C., Mitchell C. and a whole host of nieces and nephews.   His best friend of more than 60 years, George “Dickey” Compton, also survives him.