Annette H. Chavis

Annette H. Chavis was born June 16,1935, in Birmingham, Alabama, to her parents Frank and Carrie T. Hardy. She was the eighth child in the family of nine siblings. Our beloved Annette Hardy Chavis went to glory on the morning of November 7, 2024 in Kansas City, Missouri.

Ms. Annette attended Kingston Elementary and Ullman High School where she obtained her high school diploma in 1953 in Birmingham, Alabama. She later earned her undergraduate degree at Alabama Agricultural & Mechanical University. While attending Alabama A&M, Ms. Annette had the honor of having Harriet J. Terry, a founding member of her beloved sorority Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., as an instructor. Ms. Annette was one of the well-known “Sophomores Seven”. She completed her studies at Alabama A&M in three and a half years, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education. During this time, she worked summers at Spiegels in Chicago, Illinois.

Annette met her husband William O. Chavis at Olivet Baptist Church in Chicago, Illinois. They married on August 6,1961 at Harmony Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama. They then settled on the Southside of Chicago, where they put down roots and began to build their family. To this union, four children were born: Ozanna, twins Wilbert and William, and Carlena Chavis.

Mrs. Chavis had over 20 years of teaching experience beginning with her student teaching at Walker County High School in Jasper, Alabama. Her career continued with teaching jobs at Mayo Elementary, James Weldon Johnson Elementary, and Mahalia Jackson Elementary. While Mr. Chavis was stationed in Okinawa, Japan, Mrs. Chavis continued her teaching there.

Annette was truly a Woman of God who carried her faith everywhere she traveled, giving loving hospitality and grace to anyone in need. She was initiated into the Zi Nu Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. in Chicago in 1991. Mrs. Annette served faithfully for over 20 years. She received her silver soror recognition in the Midwestern region in Oklahoma City in 2016.

Annette was a proud and devoted member of Trinity UCC under the leadership of Reverend Dr. Jeremiah Wright. After moving to Kansas City, Missouri she joined Cleveland Avenue Baptist Church where they welcomed her with open arms.

Annette was preceded in death by her parents Frank and Carrie T. Hardy and her husband William O. Chavis, her daughter Carlena Chavis, her son William O. Chavis, her brothers, William Hardy, Eddie Hardy, Frank Hardy, Louis Hardy, and her sisters, Catherine Hardy, Eva Hardy Jones, Juanita Hardy Helms and her grandson Julian Obasi.

She is survived by her sister Bernice (Joel) Franklin, children Ozanna (Ernest) Obasi, and Wilbert (Vashte) Chavis, also grandchildren Joseph Obasi, Justin Obasi, Clayton Chavis, Carlena Obasi, Ashton Chavis, Cortney Obasi, Hailiah Chavis, Duston Chavis and Payton Chavis. She will be greatly missed, and her legacy will be carried on through her loved ones.

The family of Mrs. Chavis would like to express our heartfelt thanks and gratitude to all who have helped over the years and up until the end. God Bless.