Funeral services for Mrs. Merlyn D. Chance of Cleveland, Alabama, formerly of Carson, will be conducted at 2:00 pm on Monday, June 8, 2026, at Greens Creek Baptist Church with Elder Eddie Hartfield officiating. Interment will follow in Greens Creek Cemetery. Mrs. Chance, age 82, entered into the eternal rest of her Lord on Thursday evening, June 4, 2026, at her home in Cleveland, Alabama after challenging health issues. Saulters Moore Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.

The family will receive friends on Monday, one hour prior to the funeral service from 1:00 pm until 2:00 pm at Greens Creek Baptist Church.

Merlyn was born on June 9, 1943, in Bassfield, Mississippi to Robert and Maybell Reid Dyess. She and her twin sister grew up on a farm and were known as the youngest of 14 children. Merlyn had a quiet nature and caring demeanor. In 1961, she married Billy Chance. She spent some time working alongside her twin as a nurse’s aide until she decided to dedicate the rest of her life as a homemaker, taking care of her family and home. She was a longtime member of Greens Creek Baptist Church near her childhood home.

Mrs. Chance is preceded in death by her parents Robert and Maybell Reid Dyess; her husband, Billy Chance, and her siblings. Dezzie Dyess, Delphia Martin, Pauline Jenkins, Arthur Dyess, Lloyd Dyess, Bobbie Speights, Irene Jones, Nevis Dyess, Jimmy Dyess, Robert Dyess, Jr., and Bennie Dyess.

The family would like to thank the hospice staff for their dedicated support.

Her memory will forever be cherished by her daughters, Lisa Haygood of Oceans Springs, Michelle Bailey (David) of Cleveland, AL; sisters, Mary Bass of Carson, Mildred Ford, of Purvis; her grandchildren, Gary Haygood, Jr., Kimberly Cumbest, David Bailey, III, L.J. Bailey, and 6 great-grandchildren.

Online condolences and a guest registry are available at www.saultersmoorefuneralhome.com