Charles Raymond Day Sr.

Charles Raymond Day Sr., 80, of McGehee, Ark., went to be with the Lord on Jan. 27, 2018, in McGehee, Ark. He was born Aug. 17, 1937, in Lake Village, Ark., to Gladys Wynoma McCowen Day and the late Clarence William Day. Raymond was a graduate of Tillar High School. He was a lifelong Desha County cotton farmer, retiring in 2016, after 60 years. Raymond's love of the land inspired his three sons and two grandsons to a life of farming. In 1968, the Day family was awarded Farm Family of the Year for Desha County. He was part owner and manager of the local John Deere dealership (Valley Implement Company) for more than 15 years. Raymond loved to play the guitar and sing, indulging his love of Elvis Presley. He also enjoyed playing golf and sketching. A lifelong Baptist, Raymond was a song leader at Tillar Baptist Church during his youth and early parenthood, continuing as needed with music after moving to McGehee in 1968. At First Baptist Church of McGehee, he served as a deacon as well as a Sunday school teacher. He served on numerous civic, religious, and agricultural committees. Other than his father, he was preceded in death by his brothers Billy Day, Leroy Day, and Danny Day Sr. Survivors include his wife, Pat Sherland Day of McGehee, Ark.: his mother, Wynoma Day of Dumas, Ark.; sons, Chuck (Marjorie) Day of McGehee, Ark., Mark (Denise) Day of McGehee, Ark.; Gregg (Paige) Day of Little Rock, Ark.; and Mike (Jackie) Sherland of Ridgewood, N.J.; daughters, Marcy (Bryan) Smith of Newport, Ark., and Sarah Jane (Mitchell) Thiele of Fort Smith, Ark.; brothers, David Day of Dumas, Ark., William Day of Winchester, Ark., and Rickey Day of Dumas, Ark.; sister Sue Wood of Gulf Shores, Ala. He was the beloved Poppa of 13 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren. Visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 29, 2018, at Griffin-Culpepper Funeral Service in McGehee, Ark. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2018, at First Baptist Church of McGehee, Ark., with Dr. Ed Balducci and Rev. Rick Miller officiating. Burial will be held at Tillar Cemetery in Tillar, Ark. Pallbearers include Stephen Day, Dustin Day, Aaron Keller, Danny Ditmanson, Michael Hyatt, Jayson Sandine, Mark Mitchell Thiele, and Garrett Smith. Memorials may be made to your favorite charity. Arrangements by Griffin-Culpepper Funeral Service of McGehee, Ark. Online guest book may be signed at www.griffinculpepper.com.