Claire Chennault

October 6, 2011

Graveside services with Military Rites for Lt. Col. Claire Patterson Chennault (retired), 90, will be 2pm Thursday October 6, 2011 at Greenlawn Memorial Cemetery officiating will be Rev. Clyde Ray Webber. Lt. Col. Chennault was born on November 24, 1920 in Gilbert, LA to the union of General Claire Chennault and Nell Thompson Chennault and passed from this life at this residence on Monday October 3, 2011. Lt. Col. Chennault served with the United States Army Air Force from January 1943 until his retirement in 1966. He served with the 433rd Squadron, 86th Fighter Wing Eighth Air Force, as a Lt. Col.; his combat experience includes with over 300 Combat Hours over Europe. His awards include Distinguished Flying Cross; Air Medal with Seven Oak Leaf Clusters; European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal; Three Bronze Stars and Credited with destroying 2 enemy aircraft. He was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife Hilma Keyes Chennault, his second wife Grace McKelvey Chennault, his son John Charles Chennault, his brothers Jack, Charles, David, Max and Robert Chennault, his sister Peggy Lee. Survivors include his children Butch Chennault and fiancé? Ronnie; Suzi McGarry and husband Bill; Patti Smith and husband Rusty; Bobby Chennault and wife Sarah; his grandchildren Jerry 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; his sister Rosemary Simrall; also survived by 3 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 will be members of the Ladies Bridge Club at Panola Woods Country Club and Panola Woods Men?s Golf Association. In lieu of flowers memorial preferred to the Concordia Parish Library or the Concordia VFW Lodge. Friends may call for visitation on Wednesday 5pm until 8pm at Comer Funeral Home. Online guest book at www.comerfh.com