Mr. Rayson Chance, age 89 of Ellijay, GA, passed away on Tuesday, April 7, 2026.

Born in Cobb County, GA, September 21st, 1936, to the late Harlie Chance and Venna Mae Arnold Chance. He spent most of his working career in the trucking industry as an owner/operator. Rayson lived the majority of his years in Ellijay, Georgia, and was a longtime member of the First Baptist Church in Ellijay. Always a friendly and good-natured soul, he never met a stranger and it was hard to walk away from him without a smile on your face. His love for all people, but his family first and foremost, was evident to all who knew him.

He was preceded in death by his wife Marjorie: his parents, Harlie and Venna Mae Chance; brothers, twin Raymon, Roy and Hubert Chance; and sister, Frances Mathis. He is survived by his children, Ronald (Edith) Chance of Lafayette, GA , Marvin (Judy) Chance of Ellijay, GA, Edward (Becky) Chance of Sonoraville, GA, and Michelle (Brandon) Kersey of Dalton, GA; grandchildren, Dana (Travis) Cleverley of Lafayette, GA, Dawn (Eric) Brown of Lafayette, GA, Kaitlin (Jacob) Jones of Cumming, GA, Sarah (Dustin) Wheat of Resaca, GA, Robbie Chance of Sonoraville, GA,  McKinley Kersey of Dalton, GA;  and Jack Kersey of Dalton, GA; brother, David (Snookie) Chance of Dalton, GA; sisters, Linda (Lloyd) Thompson of Dalton, Marlene (Jeff) Jones of Summerville, SC, and Darlene (David) Lucas of McEwen, TN, and brother-in-law Bradley Mathis of Dalton, GA. He is also survived by seven great-grandchildren and many, many, many nieces and nephews.

Funeral Services will be held on Friday, April 10th at 2 pm from the Chapel of Bernhardt Funeral Home with Minister David Lucas officiating. Rev. Scott Eaton will be providing the music for the service. Internment will follow in the Nine Mile Methodist Church Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers to honor Rayson, are as follows; Mark Jamison, Royce Chance, Brian Mathis, Scott Sales, Steve Wells and Ricky Wimpey. Honorary pallbearers; the First Baptist Church Senior Men's class.

The family will receive friends on Friday, April 10th from 12 pm until 2 pm at the funeral home.

Flowers are accepted, or donations may be made to the Nine  Mile Methodist Church Cemetery Fund c/o Sandra Sales at 55 Sanford Ln. Ellijay, GA 30540 In Memory of Mr. Chance.

The family respectfully asks that no food be brought to the funeral home.

Bernhardt Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.