Claire Chennault Obituary

Graveside services with military rites for retired Lt. Col. Claire Patterson Chennault, 90, will be at Greenlawn Memorial Cemetery, Natchez, Miss., Thursday, Oct. 6, at 2 p.m. The Rev. Clyde Ray Webber will be officiating. Lt. Col. Chennault was born Nov. 24, 1920, in Gilbert, to the union of Gen. Claire Chennault and Nell Thompson Chennault. He passed from this life at home Monday, Oct. 3, 2011. Lt. Col. Chennault served with the U.S. Army Air Corps and the U.S. Air Force from January 1943 until his retirement in 1966. He served with the 433rd Squadron, 86th Fighter Wing, Eighth Air Force. His combat experience included more than 300 combat hours over Europe. His awards include the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with seven oak leaf clusters and the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with three bronze stars. He also was credited with destroying two enemy aircraft. He was preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Hilma Keyes Chennault; second wife, Grace McKelvey Chennault; son, John Charles Chennault; brothers, Jack, Charles, David, Robert and Max Chennault; and sister, Peggy Lee. He is survived by his children, Butch Chennault and fiancée Ronnie, Suzi McGarry and husband Bill, Patti Smith and husband Rusty, Bobby Chennault and wife Monica, Lee Rae and husband Butch, Patti Claire Clifton and husband Brad, Beau Smith and wife Carie, and Benji Smith; great-grandchildren, Jeremiah, Quaid, Phyllis, Christen, Kaitlin, Hunter, Tara, Adam, Aaron, Drake, Kezlie, Chloe, Gunner, Ryder, Amlih, Cai and Garron; sister, Rosemary Simrall; three great-great-grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews. Pallbearers will be Jerry Chennault, Beau Smith, Benji Smith, Brad Clifton, Don Arnold and Hunter Havard. Honored to serve are his "special ladies," Billie Ruth Lofton, Lois Feltenberger, Geraldine Jefferson, Diane Dickerson, Kim Whitley and Addie McLemore. Honorary pallbearers are member of the Ladies Bridge Club at Panola Woods Country Club and Panola Woods Men's Golf Association. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to the Concordia Parish Library or the Concordia VFW lodge. Friends may call for visitation at Comer Funeral Home, Ferriday, on Wednesday, Oct. 5, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Please sign online guestbook at www.comerfh.com.

Published by The Advocate on Oct. 5, 2011.
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Memories and Condolences
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2 Entries

May God Bless Your Family at this time of loss.

We have lost two member of the "Greatest Generation" with the passing of Lt. Col. Chennault and Archbishiop Hannan.

We are greatful for his service.

D Richard

October 7, 2011

Butch,
I am so sorry for your loss. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Rebekah Cox

Rebekah Cox

October 6, 2011

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