Obituary of Curtis Melvin Day

Curtis Melvin Day, 90, of Jacksonville passed away February 14, 2017 in Tyler. He was born in Colmesneil, TX on January 24, 1927 to Simon P. Day and Cassie Belle Flowers Day. Curtis served in the U.S. Navy during WWII. He then returned to graduate from Colmesneil High School and later earned a degree in Business Administration from Amarillo Junior College. After a 35-year career with the Santa Fe Railroad, Curtis retired to a small ranch in Cherokee County, Texas, where he enjoyed raising cattle and playing harmonica with several local gospel and bluegrass bands. He was a lifetime member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans. He was also actively involved in his church, the Branded by Christ Cowboy Church near Rusk, Texas, and deeply cherished the blessing of his loving church family and many other generous friends and neighbors. Curtis was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Marjorie Simmons Day, and a sister, Edith Williams. He is survived by his sons Dannie Durand Day and wife Edna of Texas City, TX and Roger Dale Day of Abilene, TX; daughters, Bonita Lolei Day of Maryville, TN, and Lawana Faye Day of Maryville, TN; sisters, Laverne Wood of Colmesneil, TX, Susie Glenell Bush of Hardin, TX, and Ila Fay Miller of Colmesneil; brother, Mason A. Day and wife Marlene of Wills Point, TX; seven grandchildren, thirteen great grandchildren, three great-great grandchildren and a host of other family members and friends. Services will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, February 18, 2017 at Riley Funeral Home Woodville, TX with Pastor David Sanford of Branded by Christ Cowboy Church of Rusk officiating. He will be buried at Steeles Grove Cemetery in Colmesneil. Visitation will be held at Riley Funeral Home from 9-11 am on Saturday, February 18, 2017. Serving as pallbearers are nephews Leon Sunday, Gary Chamblee, Andy Day, Keith Bush, and church friends Kim Shafer and Kevin Chancellor. Honorary pallbearers will be Ricky Wood and Leonard Durham.