Lynell B. Chance, a native of Wrightsville, passed away April 23, 2024 on St. Simons Island. Lynell spent her career in education in the Atlanta area before retiring to St. Simons. Her funeral will be held at the First Baptist Church St. Simons on Sunday, April 28, 2024, at 2:30 p.m.
Lynell, one of 11 siblings, grew up on a farm in Johnson County. She was born in Kite on Dec. 9 to Gertrude and G.E. Bailey. The year of her birth depends on which birth certificate or driver’s license is relied upon, however we believe the year was 1935.
She attended Young Harris College thanks to the encouragement of one of her teachers at Wrightsville High School. After earning an associate’s degree, she continued her education at Georgia Southern where she met her future husband and graduated with a bachelor’s degree. She later earned a master’s degree from University of Georgia and education specialist’s degree from Georgia State University.
In 1958, she married Fred E. Chance Jr., and the two moved to Tennessee where he attended graduate school on scholarship at University of Tennessee. They eventually settled in Decatur, Ga., where they raised their three children.
Lynell was a high school English and drama teacher in DeKalb County Schools for the majority of her career, but also held other jobs during her lifetime. She worked as a telephone operator, clerk at Davison’s department store in downtown Atlanta, model at the Atlanta Fashion Mart, and Realtor.
Throughout her life, Lynell enjoyed fashion, gardening and spending time with family and friends. A fierce competitor, she completed the Peachtree Road Race many times and excelled at bridge and golf, winning the title of lady champion multiple years at Sea Palms Golf Club on St. Simons. She enjoyed board games and challenging her family with crossword puzzle questions.
She is survived by her three children Mesha (Randy) Wind, Bill (Andria) Chance and Christopher (Anissa) Chance along with grandchildren, John Wind, Olivia Wind, Alyssa Chance, Ryan Chance, Julia Chance as well as her grandson expected in May, step grandchildren Dylan Mandell and Audrey Morales, her brother Jimmy Bailey, and many loving nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, and siblings Buford Bailey, Eldridge Bailey, Louise Bailey, Roy Bailey, Ruth Brown, Ralph Bailey, Harold Bailey, Doris Davidson and John Bailey.
Edo Miller and Sons Funeral Home of Brunswick is entrusted with arrangements.
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