Fannie Lee Chaney facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Fannie Lee Chaney
|
|
|---|---|
Fannie Lee Chaney, photographed by Jim Marshall (photographer), as the FBI informed her of her son's death at the hands of the Ku Klux Klan in 1964.
|
|
| Born |
Fannie Lee Roberts
September 4, 1921 Meridian, Mississippi, USA
|
| Died | May 22, 2007 (aged 85) |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Baker |
| Known for | Civil rights activist |
Fannie Lee Chaney (born Fannie Lee Roberts; September 4, 1921 – May 22, 2007) was an American baker who became a civil rights activist. She chose this path after her son, James Chaney, was murdered by the Ku Klux Klan in 1964. This happened during the Freedom Summer, a time when many people worked for civil rights in Mississippi.
After her son's death, Fannie Lee Chaney took action. She sued five restaurants in Meridian for treating people unfairly because of their race. She lost her job and found it hard to get new work. Her family faced threats, including crosses being burned on their lawn. An attack meant for their home damaged a neighbor's house instead. Because of these dangers, she moved to New York City. There, she found work at a nursing home. After 30 years, she retired and moved to New Jersey.
In 2005, she spoke in court for the State of Mississippi. She testified in the murder case against Edgar Ray Killen, one of the people involved in her son's killing. The jury did not find Killen guilty of murder. However, they did convict him of manslaughter, which is a lesser charge. He was sentenced to 60 years in prison and stayed there until he died in 2018.
Contents
Early Life and Family
Fannie Lee Chaney was born on September 4, 1921. Her birthplace was Meridian, Mississippi. She lived there until 1965. Her birth name was Fannie Lee Roberts. She changed it after marrying Ben Chaney Sr. Ben Chaney Sr. worked as a plasterer. Fannie Lee worked as a baker.
They had five children together. Their two sons were James Earl Chaney and Ben Chaney Jr.. Their three daughters were Barbara, Janice, and Julia. James, her oldest son, became involved in the civil rights movement early on. Fannie Lee was at first unsure about his work. But she learned more about the movement. She then fully supported her son's efforts. Her husband, Ben Chaney Sr., did not support James's work. He later left the family.
Fighting for Civil Rights
Freedom Summer and James's Murder
Fannie Lee Chaney's oldest son, James Earl Chaney, joined the Freedom Summer movement in Mississippi. Tragically, he was murdered by the Ku Klux Klan. Two of his co-workers, Andrew Goodman and Michael Schwerner, were also killed. These killings became known as the Mississippi Burning case. This event brought national attention to the Chaney family.
After the murders, Fannie Lee Chaney began speaking out. She gave speeches about racial justice and the right to vote in Meridian. She also filed a lawsuit against five restaurants in Meridian. This was because she lost her job as a baker and could not find other work due to racial discrimination.
Facing Threats and Moving On
Fannie Lee Chaney and her family faced many threats. This was because she spoke out about civil rights. She lost her job and could not find new work in Meridian. The family also got threatening phone calls. Their house and James's grave were damaged many times. A cross was burned on their lawn. Bullets were even fired at their house.
Because of these hate crimes, Fannie Lee Chaney and her family moved. They went to Willows Point, New York in 1965. There, she worked as a cleaner at a nursing home. She continued to care for her four children. In 2000, after 35 years in New York, Chaney retired. She moved to Willingboro, New Jersey. Her daughter Julia lived there.
Edgar Ray Killen Trial
In 2005, Edgar Ray Killen was brought to trial. He was a Klansman who had planned the murder of James Chaney. This trial happened 41 years after the murders of James Chaney, Michael Schwerner, and Andrew Goodman. It was partly due to the work of the James Earl Chaney foundation. This foundation was started by Ben Chaney Jr.
At 82 years old, Fannie Lee Chaney returned to Mississippi. She testified against Edgar Ray Killen. Her testimony was very emotional. She spoke about the close bond between her oldest son, James, and her youngest son, Ben. She also described the last time she saw James alive. He was leaving her house with Michael Schwerner and Andrew Goodman. She also shared how she learned about her son's death. A neighbor first told her they could not find James. Later, she saw his burnt car on TV. She told the court, "J.E. never come back." Her testimony also covered the violence and threats she faced after the murders. Her testimony lasted about 12 minutes. There were no questions asked by the other side.
Edgar Ray Killen was found guilty of three counts of manslaughter. Fannie Lee Chaney was reportedly happy with the decision. Her son Ben said that she finally felt her son's life had value to the people in that community.
Death and Legacy
Fannie Lee Chaney passed away on May 22, 2007. The cause of her death was not shared publicly. She was buried on June 2, 2007. Her grave is at Okatibbee Baptist Church, outside Meridian. She was buried next to her son James. Her funeral service was held at First Union Missionary Baptist Church. This was the same church where James's funeral service took place.
She is remembered by her son, Ben Chaney Jr., and her three daughters. They are Barbara Dailey, Janice Chaney, and Julia Chaney-Moss. The James Earl Chaney Foundation also remembers her. This foundation was started by Ben Chaney Jr. It now works to protect the constitutional rights of all Americans.
