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April 10, 1967 – April 23, 2015

NATCHEZ — Services for Van Tracey Chaney, 48, of Natchez, who died Thursday, April 23, 2015, in Baldwin County, Ala., will be at 11 a.m. Friday at New Beginnings Baptist Church with the Rev. LeRoy White officiating.

Burial will follow at the Natchez National Cemetery under the direction of Marshall Funeral Home.

Visitation will be at 10 a.m. until service time Friday at the church.

Mr. Chaney was born April 10, 1967, in Natchez, the son of Donald Terry Chaney and Etta Matilda Floyd Chaney White.

Van was a member of Egypt Baptist Church. He was an awesome father, son, brother, nephew and uncle to his closest relatives. In addition, he was a loyal friend to all who knew him, especially his many cousins.

After graduating from Natchez High School in 1986, Van joined the U.S. Navy and served on the U.S.S. John F. Kennedy CV-67. He was a determined young man who possessed a very strong work ethic. While in the Navy, Van received the Meritorious Unit Commendation, Sea Service Award and Certificate of Accomplishment for 1200 PSI Supervisor. After an honorable discharge from the Navy, he began work with International Paper Company in Natchez as a general mechanic. Despite an illness which caused him to become disabled in 1999, his goal was to return to work someday.

Van was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Donna Chaney Berry; maternal grandparents, Thomas Percy Floyd Sr. and Myrtis Hunt Floyd; paternal grandparents, David Chaney and Georgia Green Chaney; and one aunt, Mertis Floyd Scott.

Survivors include one daughter, Vania Johnson-Chaney, who attends Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Va.; two sisters, Terri Walker of Sugarland, Texas and Tarja Thomas and husband, Willie, of McComb; three uncles, Thomas Percy Floyd and wife, Augustine, of Natchez, Ollie Fleming of New Orleans and Roger Lee Scott of Jackson; six aunts, Celia Floyd Peeples and husband, Robert, of Bude, Cathy Deneese Floyd of Gulfport, Della Thomas and husband, Luther, and Mary Chaney Johnson, all of Natchez, Rosie Floyd Rogers and husband, Hoyle, of Memphis, Tenn., and Lavon Chaney Hatch and husband, Walter, of Baton Rouge; a very special niece, Skyler Chaney of Hattiesburg; two very special nephews, Cornelius and Tony Berry, both of Natchez; and an abundance of dynamic cousins and special friends.