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Elizabeth Louise (Betty) Day
Our precious mother, Elizabeth Louise (Betty) Day, was joyously welcomed back into God’s arms on Friday, Feb. 12, 2021. We know Mason, her husband of 70 years, family, friends and a myriad of cats and dogs celebrated her homecoming.
Betty was born on March 31, 1929, in Quitman. She graduated from Quitman High School, where she was voted Homecoming Queen and began college at age 17. Her father passed away on her second day at Arkansas State Teachers College (University of Central Arkansas). Betty and her mother, Azalea, decided to go to school together and became college roommates.
Betty taught one year of home economics at Blytheville High School. She adored teaching and her students, lovingly remembering them throughout her life. She was introduced to Mason Frederick Day, Jr. and his charming smile captured her heart. They were married in 1950 and she often said he was her hero.
Betty loved to sew beautiful attire for her three daughters, but her favorites were creating Barbie clothes and stuffed toys for various charities. She and Mason enjoyed volunteering at the library and the First Presbyterian Church. She and Pat Westbrook taught Sunday School together for 25 years, showing many children how to “let their little light shine”. Reading and book club discussions were another passion she enjoyed throughout the years. She was a Girl Scout leader, Junior Auxiliary president and an accomplished hostess, who enjoyed entertaining her family and friends.
After raising four children, Betty embarked on a new career. She graduated from Wellesley College with a Certified Travel Consultant certificate and acquired Holiday Travel and First Delta Travel. Dad would bring lunch to her every day. Her knowledge and enthusiasm for planning travel gained her quite the following in Northeast Arkansas. Her favorite quote was “I’m not the same having seen the moon shine on the other side of the world” by Mary Anne Radmacher. Before leaving Blytheville, Betty and Mason spent 10 years at Westminster Village making wonderful friendships.
Betty was preceded in death by her parents, Julian and Azalea Wilson, husband Mason Day, Jr., brother Bill Wilson, and daughter-in-law Maudine Day. She is survived by her children, Mason Day III of The Villages, Fla., Sarah Day Smith (Sam) of Tulsa, Okla., Ellen Day McClure (John) of Rogers and Jane Day Tiller (Carlous) of Nashville, Tenn. Betty is also survived by grandchildren, Corbin Smith (Kasey), Keeley Ballard (Chris), Cole McClure (Angela) and Hayden Day Tiller. Betty also has four precious great-grandchildren – Presley, Camdyn, Sheridan and Adelynn.
A private service will be held in Tulsa, Okla. The family wishes to thank the staff at St. Francis Hospital and Bellarose in Broken Arrow, Okla. In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, your local humane association or your favorite charity.
Our Steel Magnolia mother will be remembered for her generosity, kindness and love as well as her fierce loyalty and the best kind of sass! Her strength was the foundation of our family.