Gene Franklin Day

Rev. Gene Day, 79, of Paragould passed away Saturday, May 3rd, 2014 at Arkansas Methodist Medical Center. He was born April 3, 1935 in Malden, Mo. to Paul and Helen Allen Day. He was a Korean War Veteran who was stationed in Washington D.C. as an Army Military Police Officer. At age 28 he was called into ministry. After 15 years in the evangelistic field and pastoring several churches he then founded Joyful Sounds PCG on July 27, 1997 in Paragould. While pastoring at Joyful Sounds he mentored two special ladies, Sheila Prince and Vicky Cox, who showed they were earnest in their studies of the Bible and ministry. He loved his church family and they loved him! His hobbies were playing guitar, singing, and watching his martin birds. Preceding him in death were his parents; two brothers, Allen and Wayne Day; daughter, Donna Jean Jordan; grandson, Derrick Daniel; great granddaughter, Emma Grace. Survivors include his wife of 59 years, Betty Hufford Day of the home; two daughters, Jenny (Randy) Collins, Asia Jordan Day; a special great-granddaughter, Donnae Alley all of Dumas, AR; three grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; sister, Mary (Charles) Mannis of Early, TX; uncle and aunt, E.T. and Isabel Allen of Arlington, Texas; and a host of family and friends. His life celebration and homecoming will be held at Phillips Funeral Home with visitation from noon-2 p.m. Wednesday, May 7, 2014. The service will follow at 2 p.m. in the Center Hill Chapel of Phillips Funeral Home with Rev. Dennis Collins officiating. Tim Hufford, Randy Collins, Wicky and Nicky Cox, Bill Butts, and Terry Huffine will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers are Sheila Prince, Vicky Cox, Cathy Thomas, Lawanda Coleman, and Rev. Leroy Bozarth. Burial will follow at New Liberty Cemetery. Memorials may be sent to Vilonia Tornado Relief Fund. Online guestbook: www.phillipsfuneral.org.