Memorial service: 3 p.m. February 24, 2026, Feragne Villa, 755 Mid Cities Blvd, Hurst, TX. Reception to follow.
Carolyn was born April 30, 1935 to Ralph and Geneva Young, in Madison County, North Carolina. She and her parents owned and operated a general store, Steve’s Place, in Asheville, where she grew up and went to school. After high school, she attended Asheville-Biltmore College (UNC,) and Western Carolina University where she graduated cum laude in 1956, in English and journalism, and then received her Master of Arts in Education degree in 1962.
In January 1965, Carolyn and Piers Lawrence Chance were married and began their new life in the Lone Star State. In 1974, they welcomed Chelsea Starr into this world completing their beautiful family.
The number of lives Carolyn touched from North Carolina to Texas throughout her 35 years as an English teacher is immeasurable. Her creative gift, passion for the humanities, and inspiring teaching style, shaped the hearts and minds of her students, colleagues, friends, and family. During her career, she also served as the head of the English Department, taught honors courses, and coached UIL and basketball.
Throughout her life, Carolyn volunteered and gave back to her community through many organizations like Meals on Wheels, driving patients to cancer appointments, voter engagement, and serving on the altar guild at church. Her involvement with these brought her great joy, just as she brought tremendous joy to those with whom she worked.
Mere words are inadequate to express the grace, kindness, wisdom, wit, love, and generosity that were her very presence. Her pleasure in a good book, nice scotch, beautiful sunsets or a full moon, watching the Dallas Cowboys, reciting poetry, or working in her garden, were only eclipsed by her desire to bring a smile and joy to a friend or a stranger.
Carolyn’s smile and love are forever etched into the hearts of her family and friends. May the memory of the ever-present sparkle in her eye bring light to the darkness of our grief. Preceded in Death: Parents, Ralph and Geneva Young, Husband, Piers Chance. Survivors: Daughter, Chelsea Chance
Memorials: Because of her love of civil rights, pets and all animals, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the ACLU, https://www.aclu.org, (888) 567-ACLU; or to Best Friends Animal Society, (435) 688-2327, https://bestfriends.org, or the charity of your choice.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.