Earles Earnest Chaney

But you, LORD, are a shield around me, my glory, the one who lifts my head high. I cry out to the LORD, and he answers me from his holy mountain. I lie down and sleep; I awake again, because the LORD sustains me. Psalm 3:3-5

Earles Earnest Chaney, 89, transitioned from earthly labor on June 12, 2026, at his residence while surrounded by his family. He was born in Lake Arthur, Louisiana, on March 23, 1937, to the late Earl Chaney and Odelia Tyler Chaney. He was educated at the African Americans' School in Lake Arthur, which later became Charles P. Adams School, as well as Jefferson Davis High School in Jennings. As a young adult, he served in the US Army.

Earles was a member of Antioch Baptist Church in Lake Arthur, LA, pastored by Reverend Emerson Baty. Earles was ordained as a deacon and served faithfully on the Diaconate Board and actively in other capacities in the church until physical restrictions limited him. Throughout his life, Earles maintained a consistent presence in the community through his contributions to civic and recreational affairs. He served as Commissioner of the Lake Arthur Housing Authority Board for ten years. For many years, he was a main contributor to the organization and implementation of activities featured at Community Fun Day, an event held at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Park, to commemorate Juneteenth. While he played major roles and wore many hats in the background, he most assuredly could be found out in front, adding special touches to one of his delectable Southwestern Louisiana dishes. He knew his way around the kitchen on one hand, and on the other hand, he was an excellent outdoor cook, manning a grill or cauldron. Earles also brought the same enthusiasm to the outdoor recreational sports he loved, hunting and fishing.

The same passion with which Earles approached his culinary and recreational activities is what he showed when he extended a helping hand to family and friends. If he went to the cemetery to mow the grass around his deceased family member’s graves, without a second thought, he would mow the grass near other neighboring graves. It was not out of the question for him to support his nieces and nephews by giving them some of the same experiences he offered his own children.

Earles had a successful work history within the oil & gas extraction industry. He was a trailblazer, breaking a major racial barrier as the first Black person to be hired by Superior Oil Company, which was later acquired by Mobil Oil. His life and milestones of paving the way for others are deeply tied to the history of the Lake Arthur region. Earles’s legacy includes service, hard work, and the indelible influence he had on family.

He is survived by his devoted wife Vanessa Robinson Chaney with whom he shared 24-years of companionship and unwavering support; five children, his namesake, Earle Chaney-Pierce (Adam) of Fort Worth, TX, Charolette Simon (Darnell) of Lake Charles, LA, Tanyanekia Perkins (John) of Lake Arthur, LA, Roger Carter (Gwendolyn) of Missouri City, TX, and Patrick Robinson Sr. (Deja) of Haslet, TX; his grandchildren, Shawn Carter, Christopher Carter (Destiny), Eric Carter (Ebony), Randall Carter, LaDorian Carter, Jenitza Ting (Tyler), Zachariah Pierce (Wendy), Elijah Pierce (Rian), Destiny Robinson (Thaddeus), Trinity Perkins, Journey Perkins, Parris Dugas, Payton Dugas, Ezra Robinson, Jacarte Malveaux, and Patrick Robinson Jr; a host of great-grandchildren; his godchildren, Caleb Robinson, Lisa Jackson, Terrence Benoit, Da’Len Cormier, Jerry Wilson Jr, and Trevis Levine Jr; his brother, Aaron Chaney (Gwendolyn) of San Diego, CA; his mother-in-law, Ora Robinson of Lake Arthur, LA; a host of nieces, nephews, family, and friends.

He was preceded by his first wife, Jennie Mae Daniel Chaney; one son, Robert B Carter Jr; one grandson, Robert B. Carter III; his parents, Earl and Odelia Chaney; two brothers, Willard Chaney and Elridge Chaney; two sisters, Ramona Chaney Green and Elnora Campbell.

Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, June 27, 2026, at Antioch Baptist Church, 625 Iowa Street in Lake Arthur, LA. Pastor Reverend Emerson Baty will officiate. Visiting with family and friends will be in the church from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the celebration service. Burial will follow in the Lakeview Cemetery in Lake Arthur, LA, under the direction of Semien-Lewis Mortuary of Jennings, LA. Graveside Military Honors will be accorded by the United States Army.