A memorial service for Mrs. Clydell Chason Klein, age 92, was held Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. at First Baptist Church, Neches, Texas. Mrs. Klein passed away Sunday, July 21 at Christus Mother Frances Hospital in Tyler, Texas. 

Clydell C. Klein was born in Carrabelle to Emory and Dixie Chason on August 22, 1931. 

She was preceded in death by her husband Erich F. Klein Jr., of Neches; parents Emory and Dixie Chason; grandparents Frank and Mamie Warren; several aunts, uncles, and cousins, all of Carrabelle. 

Clydell is survived by her son Erich F. Klein III, of Neches; daughter Elizabeth Klein-Kirtley and son-in-law Doug Kirtley, of Carrabelle; brother Edward Chason, of Tallahassee; and cousin Bobbye Jean Winchester, of Carrabelle. 

Clydell grew up during the Depression to Emory, a commercial fisherman in Carrabelle. If he went out to catch mullet with a now outlawed gill net and didn’t catch enough to sell to the “old” Millender’s Seafood on the river, he would take enough home to feed his family and give the rest away to friends and family who had no food as well. 

Dixie worked in the Camp Gordon Johnston Headquarters shoe department, repairing and making the soldiers’ shoes. Dixie has a dedicated area in the Camp Gordon Johnston Museum in Carrabelle. Then she ran the produce section at “old” Edward’s grocery store downtown. 

While living in Carrabelle, Clydell was a long-time devoted member of the First Baptist Church where she was a member of the gospel trio with Ruth McKissick and June Rickards. They were invited to attend numerous churches to perform throughout Florida. Clydell overcame her hardships and managed to attend Florida State University. After attending college, she moved to New York City where she worked in an FBI field office for six years before being transferred to Washington D.C. She worked there until she was transferred again and moved to Dallas, Texas. Clydell met Erich Klein Jr., fell in love, and married on July 17, 1956. History says that Erich and Clydell were the last couple to marry in the original First Baptist Church of Carrabelle before it burned and had to be rebuilt. 

While in Dallas she was a member of the renowned Park Cities Women’s Choir for many years. The choir would perform all over East Texas to help charities of all aspects. Her favorite was when she was able to perform at the orphanages in need of funds to continue to operate. She also was a member of several church choirs depending on her location in Dallas. 

Erich and Clydell moved to Neches in 1985, where she began her prolific and well-known volunteer career in the community and the entirety of Anderson County. She was a volunteer and elected trustee of the Neches ISD School Board for 17 years. Clydell not only served on the school board but was a strong advocate for the students by volunteering at the campuses. She was also instrumental in the construction of the new elementary school campus. Clydell served on numerous boards to serve her community, including Neches Water Corporation and Anderson County Crime Stoppers. She was a regular and committed volunteer for the Sunshine Guild at Palestine Regional Medical Center helping to serve the patients and their families. 

Clydell loved the stage and was in a variety of musicals in Palestine, Texas, usually with the leading role! She could pack a house with her humor, quick wit, and beautiful voice!

Most of all, Clydell was a faithful servant for the Kingdom of God through her service at First Baptist Church Neches. She was the founder and director of the Hilltop Singers Children’s Choir which was a popular and growing ministry in Neches for over a decade. She loved Vacation Bible School and participated through acting, music, and teaching for years. Clydell used her love of the arts and music to serve the people of this community through FBC Neches choir and productions. Clydell loved to sing in the choir and during special events throughout the year. 

Clydell C. Klein did so much work behind the scenes to help everyone she met that the true impact of her life and generosity to others will be felt for generations to come!