Marlene Chaney

Marlene Chaney passed away peacefully on the morning of August 27, 2024, surrounded by her loving family. Marlene was born on October 19, 1948, in Sacramento, CA to the late Jerry and Violet (Weddle) Crabb. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two brothers: Galen Ray and Brent Thomas Crabb.

Marlene is survived by her husband of 52 years, Larry Chaney. She is also survived by two daughters, Allison (Kevin) Rafferty and Julia Voss (Scott Wages), both of Lexington. In addition she is survived by four wonderful grandchildren: Eric Rafferty, Ella Rafferty, Hank Voss, and Maggie Voss. These grandchildren have truly made her retirement years golden.

Marlene attended Eastern Kentucky University where she met the love of her life along with attaining Bachelors and Masters degrees, as well as a Rank 1 Certification in Education. She was a devoted elementary teacher in the Somerset Independent School System for 32 years. The last 18 years of her career were spent as a first grade teacher where she discovered there was no greater joy than seeing “the light come on in the eyes of first graders” as they grasped those early learning concepts.

Mrs. Chaney was a member of the Somerset First United Methodist Church for approximately 43 years, where she was a member of the Genesis Sunday School class, serving as class secretary/treasurer for many of those years. During her time with the church, she served on various committees and also helped coordinate monthly churchwide dinners for about 15 years.

Following her retirement, Marlene served on the board of directors for God’s Food Pantry for several years. This was a community commitment that was dear to her heart, and she continued to be supportive of the food pantry for the remainder of her life. For many years, it became a Christmas donation project for her Sunday school class.

A visitation for Marlene Chaney will be held on Saturday, August 31, 2024, at the First United Methodist Church, 99 South Central Avenue, Somerset, KY, from 10:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m., followed by a memorial service at 1:00. Burial will be at Lakeside Memorial Gardens following the service. Active pallbearers will be Eric Rafferty, Hank Voss, Phillip Hampton, Larry Vanhook, Bob Tucker, Allan Cheuvront, Jay Flynn, and Dennis Chaney. Honorary pallbearers will be: Joe Chaney, Jim McDuffee, Steve Pierson, Mike Stidham, Wilson Sears, David Fraley, Kevin Rafferty, Scott Wages, Dale Torok, and Carl Bryant.