Irene Hargett Chance

Irene Hargett Chance, 96, died early Sunday, May 25, 2014, at home.

Irene was born July 4, 1917 in Pollocksville, NC the eldest of five daughters, to Bessie Cole Hargett and James Abner Hargett.

She was predeceased by her parents and sister, Elizabeth Hargett Featherstun, and her husband of 68 years, James Chance.

She is survived by her three sisters, Dorothy Hargett Jupin, Susan Hargett Mays, and Agnes Hargett Eubanks. She is also survived by her three children, Linda Chance Bernabi and husband, Les, of Kalispell, MT; Jo Anne Chance Holton and husband, Buzzy, of New Bern; and Dr. James Kenneth Chance and wife, Ellen, of New Bern. Also surviving Granny are six granddaughters: Gwendolyn Woosley Griswold and husband, Phil; Melinda Leigh Woosley; Jeri Holton Lauer and husband, Terry; Sherri Holton Montague and husband, Bryant; Dr. Ellen Chance Sanders and husband, Dave; and Dr. Elizabeth Whiting Chance and husband, Spencer Payne. Her great grandchildren are Braxton and Lizzie Montague, Caroline and Josh Lauer, Abby Griswold, and Charlie, Kate, and Henry Sanders.

Irene graduated from New Bern High School and upon graduation worked for the Charles Store in downtown New Bern. She married James Chance on December 25, 1940.

Mrs. Chance was a life-long member of Tabernacle Baptist Church where she taught Sunday School for over forty years and served the church in so many areas such as WMU leadership locally and at the Associational level. Quoting a letter of Commendation from the Baptist Sunday School Board in Nashville, TN; "Mrs. Chance and her family were active in the Lord’s work and were always known as the dependable family at Tabernacle Baptist Church."

Mrs. Chance and her husband operated James Chance Construction Company from 1947-1980. Upon their retirement, the Chances developed the subdivision, Crosswinds, in New Bern.

The funeral will be Tuesday, May 27, at 2:00 p.m. at Tabernacle Baptist Church. Visitation will immediately follow the service.

The family request that in lieu of flowers that memorials be made to Tabernacle Baptist Church Building Fund, 411 Metcalf Street, New Bern, NC 28560.