Date: 2014-03-06
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. with great sympathy and sadness. I rise to pay tribute to the late Dr. Lafayette Fernandez Chaney. Sr.. the extraordinary leader who touched the lives of many through his education and religious endeavors. Under his leadership. Damascus Missionary Baptist Church in Houston experienced tremendous growth. both spiritually and financially. The beloved Rev. Dr. Chaney was requested to join our Lord on Friday. February 28. 2014. and he was 96 years old. He gained his bachelor of arts and his bachelor of divinity from Paul Quinn. got a master of arts degree from Texas Southern University. studied for his doctorate at Baylor. and received his doctorate from Texas Southern University. He was a teacher. He taught mathematics and science at Moore High School. He taught it in Waco at the Oakwood Elementary School. He taught at Waltrip Senior High School. He loved children. He was someone who was a builder. He had professional memberships in a lot of educational associations. He was pastor at a number of churches. but his greatest gift and his greatest cherished memory was the pastorship for 50 years at Damascus Missionary Baptist Church. Even when the church was without a home and he had to hold the congregation together to help build the beautiful church that we have. he was there to support and grow that church. He. as well. was someone who enjoyed leadership in a variety of organizations and was courageous enough to appoint the first female minister at the Damascus Missionary Baptist Church. Evangelist LaSandra Easter. I enjoyed. Mr. Speaker. my time with Pastor Chaney and visiting him at his last church commemorationhis anniversary and the church anniversary. It was my pleasure to be with him to share in the glory of the celebration of his wonderful life. He has run a great race. He has finished the course. He has gone on to receive his great reward. I ask this body to have a moment of silence in his honor. Thank you. Reverend Chaney. for being a great Houstonian and a great Texan and. yes. a great American. Mr. Speaker. I rise to pay tribute to the late Rev. Dr. Lafayette Fernandez Chaney. Sr.. the extraordinary leader who touched the lives of many through his educational and eccliastical endeavors. Under his leadership. Damascus Missionary Baptist Church in Houston experienced tremendous growth. both spiritually and financially. The beloved Rev. Dr. Chaney was requested to join our Lord on Friday. February 28. 2014 as he departed this life at 9:30am. He was 96 years old. Lafayette Fernandez Chaney. Sr.. was born March 27. 1917 in Waco. Texas to proud and loving parents. Adell and Tom W. Chaney. He was educated in the public schools of Waco and Le Vega Independent School District. graduating from Moore High School in Waco. Texas. Rev. Dr. Chaney received both his Bachelors of Arts and Bachelors of Divinity Degrees from Paul Quinn College. He received his Master of Arts Degree from Texas Southern University and studied in the doctorate program at Baylor University from 1968 to 1975. In August 1982. he received his Doctorate Degree in Higher Education from Texas Southern University. Rev. Dr. Chaney taught mathematics and science at Moore High School in Waco. Texas for twelve years and was principal of Oakwood Elementary School in Waco. Texas for eleven years. From 1972 to 1986. he taught mathematics and psychology at Waltrip Senior High School in Houston. During the same period. he was an adjunct professor of mathematics and psychology for Houston Community College. Reverend Dr. Chaneys professional memberships and honors include: past president of Waco Classroom Teachers Association. Waco Administrators Association and the Central Texas District Teachers Association. In 1965. he was nominated for "Whos Who" amongst professional men in Texas. He was a member of the American Association of University Professors. Phi Delta Kappa and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternities. He was pastor of the following churches: Little Tehuacana Baptist Church in rural Waco. Texas. Sweethome Baptist Church in Mexia. Texas. First Baptist Church in Thornton. Texas. Second Baptist Church in Itasca. Texas. Shiloh Baptist Church in Madisonville. Texas and served as Senior Pastor for 50 plus years at Damascus Missionary Baptist Church in Houston. Texas. He served as Senior Advisor of the Youth Convention of the General Baptist Convention of Texas. Teacher of the Youth Department of the National Baptist Convention of America. Director of the Ushers and Nurses of the Independent General Association of Texas. member of the Evangelical Board of the General Baptist Convention of Texas. and President of Union Bible College in Houston. His crowning glory was completing his life as Senior Pastor of Damascus Missionary Baptist Church. During this time. he successfully held the congregation together during the homeless years from May 25. 2003 through September 2. 2007. while the churchs new home at its current location was being constructed. Rev. Dr. Chaney also made history by appointing the first female minister at Damascus Missionary Baptist Church. Evangelist LaSandra Easter. Mr. Speaker. Rev. Dr. Chaney lived a consequential life and made a difference. He has run the great race. he has finished the course. He has gone on to receive his great reward: a place in the Lords loving arms. I ask that a moment of silence be observed in memory of the Rev. Dr. Lafayette Fernandez Chaney. Sr.