Oliver Chance, 87, of South Pittsburg, Tennessee, died on Friday, April 28, 2017, at his home.
The son of the late Joseph Francis and Josie Melvannia Stewart Chance, he was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War and served in Germany. He worked as a heavy equipment operator for Penn-Dixie Cement Company for 27 years. He and his beloved wife, Bettye Jewell, were charter members of Grace Baptist Church, where he served as the church’s first clerk. They cared for many young children in their home through the years and they all lovingly referred to Oliver as “Pawpaw.”
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Bettye Jewell Stephens Chance and two brothers, Howard and J.C. Chance.
He is survived by his daughter, Gayla Chance (Lee) Hand; grandchildren, Joshua Long and Jenna Long all of South Pittsburg; niece, Carol Hargis of South Pittsburg; nephews, Hal (Kathy) Chance, Stanley (Diana) Chance both of South Pittsburg, Jim (Jen) Stephens of Wellsboro, PA, and Chuck (Dani) Stephens of Hermitage, Tn.; several other relatives and friends.
Funeral services will be conducted from the South Pittsburg Chapel of Rogers Funeral Home on Tuesday, May 2, at 11 a.m. Central time with Reverend Ronnie Case officiating. Interment will follow at Sequatchie Valley Memorial Gardens in Jasper, Tn.
The family will receive friends for visitation on Monday, May 1, from 5-8 p.m. Central time at Rogers Funeral Home in South Pittsburg.
Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.rogersfuneralhome.com.