Iva Day

Iva Joyce Day, 81, of Abilene, TX passed away on July 28, 2016. Visitation will be 4:00 till 6:00 PM, Sunday, July 31, 2016 at Elmwood Funeral Home, 5750 Hwy 277 South. Funeral service will be 3:00 PM, Monday, August 1, 2016 in the Elmwood Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will follow the service in Elmwood Memorial Park.
She was born on January 5, 1935 to Robert Maloy and Dorothy Carlisle Anthony in Mira, Louisiana. She was the third of their six children. She attended and was a graduate of Snyder High School. She married Vernie Charles Smith of Fluvanna, TX on May 29, 1953 and they had two daughters, Rebecca and Sharee, before his death in 1963. She married Jimmie Joe Day and they had one son, Darrin.

Joyce was an excellent employee, dependable and loyal, and held several jobs during her lifetime. She worked as a cashier at the movie theater and at Gibson's, as a dispatcher for the Abilene PD, and as an instructor for both Timex and Texas Instruments. Into her 80's, she helped her brother transport cars for a local dealership and as a secretary for her church, Elmwood Baptist Church, where she was an active member.

Joyce was also active for several years in the local Order of the Eastern Star, where she made many friends, ultimately serving as a Worthy Matron.

She enjoyed gardening and had a green thumb, doing her own yard work until a few weeks ago. She also spent time embroidering and quilting cherished gifts for family and friends. She was a good cook, an avid bowler, and spent hours playing video games with the grandkids. She also attended numerous football and baseball games to cheer on nephews and grandsons.

Joyce is preceded in death by her parents, R.M. and Dorothy Anthony; husband, Vernie Smith; brother, Robert O. Anthony; and sisters, Gussy Oneita Wilson and Jean O'Dell.

She is survived by brother, Wade Anthony (Beatrice); sister, Jerry Kay Martin; daughters, Rebecca Mackelprang (Ray) and Sharee Haile (Roy) and son, Darrin Day (Debbie); granddaughters, Brinlee Morris (Kyle), McKenna Herpel (Adam), and Amber DeLeon-Day (Diana); grandsons, Cody Haile (Jessica), Micah Haile (fiancée, Holly), and Austin Day; great-granddaughters, Kimber and Zadie Morris, and great-grandson, Kaleb DeLeon-Day; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Online condolences and memories may be shared with the family through the obituary link at www.elmwoodfuneral.com

Visitation

Elmwood Funeral Home
5750 HWY 277 South
Abilene, TX  79606
Sunday, July 31, 2016
4-6 PM

Service

Elmwood Funeral Home Chapel
5750 HWY 277 South
Abilene, TX  79606
Monday, August 1, 2016
3 PM

Cemetery

Elmwood Memorial Park
5750 HWY 277 South
Abilene, TX  79606