Sonya Jean Chance, 84, of Clearwater, passed away Monday, Oct. 7, 2024. She was born Feb. 12, 1940, to Hazen and Lorraine Byers in Sharon, Kan.

Sonya deeply loved her Lord and Savior. She dedicated her life in serving Him through the work of Child Evangelism Fellowship (CEF) and teaching children God's Word. Sonya's various outreaches included: VBS, Sunday School, CEF Camp Good News, CEF Teacher Training and CEF Teaching Teens. She even taught a short course at Christian Challenge High School for the teens in how to teach a Bible club to children.

She loved her family, music, flowers, reading, and drama. She and some of her friends would often put together skits to present at Victory in the Valley. She loved to laugh and was a joy to be around.
She will be greatly missed by all who loved her.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Neal Chance.

Sonya is survived by her siblings, Gloria Cox, Gary Byers and Larry Byers; Sonya’s children, Vickie (Dave) Long, Mitch (Angie) Chance, Doug (Suzanne) Chance and Marty (Shelly) Chance; and 12 grandkids and 17 great-grandkids

Visitation will be Thursday, Oct. 10, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and funeral service will be at 1 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 10, both at Smith Mortuary-Derby, 1415 North Rock Road, Derby. Interment to follow at Greenwood Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Campus Kids Ministries, Inc., P.O. Box 234 Haysville, KS 67060.