SHIRLEY JOAN (BOHANNON) DAY

Shirley Joan (Bohannon) Day was born September 6, 1935 in Springfield, Missouri to Lawrence A. and Mabel Bohannon.
Complications of dementia completed her Heavenly journey on December 9, 2021 at The Arbors at Lakewood, Springfield, Missouri surrounded by her family.
Shirley graduated from Willard High School in 1953 at the age of 17. She had met a young lad from Bois D’Arc, John V. Day. Her mother signed the consent form and they were married August 19, 1953, celebrating 62 years of marriage when he passed in 2015.
She was preceded in death by her husband, John, her parents, her parents -in-law, Ruel E. and Lura Day, sister and brother-in-law, Barbara and Rex White, infant sister, Carol Jean, son-in-law, Mitchell Couch and granddaughter, Gracie Couch.
Shirley is survived by her three children, Debby and Don Clutter, Mike and Mary Day and Johnna Couch all of Republic; grandchildren, Tiffany (Jason), Ramona (Matt), Paula (Warren), Ryan (Lesley), James (Mary), Jacob, Stephanie, Adam (Brandi), Juliam, Abby, and Noah; 8 great grandchildren and 1 due this month, and 1 great, great grandchild, sisters-in-law, Melba Young & Neva Day, several nieces, nephews, a large circle of friends and special friend, Sara Ghan.
Shirley was saved at a young age on the invite to church by a friend. She helped guide John to receive Christ as his Savior after a near- death wreck in 1959. Church was important to her; her family were charter members of Calvary Baptist Church, Republic, Missouri in 1966 where she was a faithful member until failing health kept her homebound. One of the last conversations she had was “what is going on at church?” and “I just can’t go” with sadness in her voice. She was involved in whatever needed to be done, be it the nursery, VBS, Sunday School, Youth ministry, work days, hospitality or funeral dinners.
If there was a death in the church family you knew you would get a call for food from Shirley Day. She and John always had a tithe but their greater joy was giving beyond the tithe. Her life reflected James 1:22 “Be doers of the word, not hearers only.”
Shirley opened an in-home day care in 1964. A few years later she obtained her state license and became Shirley’s Wee Folks. She was Grandma Shirley to hundreds of kids, teaching and training as only Grandma Shirley could. The kids heard about Jesus and His love because of her. Shirley’s Wee Folks celebrated every holiday with a fun party—not sure if it was for her or the kids. In 1982 Calvary opened their Day Care and Shirley was the Director, after closing her own facility. She remained as Director until her retirement in 1998.
She loved to travel to anywhere, vacations, day trips or Lady Bears. She loved Christmas and because of her faith in Jesus Christ and the promise of John 3:16 this is her best one yet.
Shirley was a constant caregiver—her aging parents, John for 7 and ½ years after his strokes, and then did adult sitting. She always put other’s needs before herself. She was kind and compassionate and taught her family that as well.
Thank you, Mom, for all the love you poured onto our family, Shirley loved her flowers but in lieu of flowers and to honor her passion, please make donations to the Calvary Kids or Youth ministries.
The family wishes to thank the staff of The Arbors and Intrepid Hospice for the wonderful care they gave to Mom.
Visitation was Tuesday December 14, 2021 at Calvary Baptist Church, Republic, Missouri from 5 to 7 p.m. The funeral service will be held Wednesday, December 15, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. at Calvary Baptist Church with Rev Denny Marr and Rev. Fred Broome officiating the service.
Burial will follow the funeral service in Evergreen Cemetery, Republic, Missouri. Services are under the direction of Day Funeral Home, Marshfield, Missouri. Online condolences may be made at www dayfh com.