Hazel Christine Day

Hazel Christine Day—affectionately known as "Mimi", 87 of Rankin, Texas passed away January 2nd in Midland, Texas.
She was born December 31st, 1926 in Bronte, Texas to Hazel and Lavada Yocham.
Christine attended public school and graduated from Rankin High School. She was a gifted student and talented writer who won the state –wide competition in Ready-writing her senior year and graduated as valedictorian of her high school class. She went on to graduate from North Texas State University with a degree in English. On June 28th, 1949 she married W.M. "Dub" Day Jr., and they had three daughters.
Christine was a long-time beloved elementary school teacher in Rankin where she touched the lives of all those who entered her classroom. In retirement, she travelled extensively and served as a board member for the Rankin Cemetery Association, Rankin Public Library, and was a member of the First Baptist Church. She was also a very active member in her community supporting various causes and organizations including Beta Sigma Phi.
She was most content with a bird book in her lap and binoculars in her hand. She loved a good book and a challenging crossword puzzle. She took great pride in her garden and was known to pull the car over to unearth and transplant the Texas wildflowers that she was fond of. She could often be found among the trees in the pecan orchard in Menard, Texas, steadily filling the burlap sack at her side.
She is survived by three daughters—Debbie and husband Craig Purvines of Amarillo,Texas, Diane and husband Bob Bright of Mishawaka, Indiana, and Denisa and husband Jimmy McBee of Menard,Texas, four grandchildren—Heather and husband Clint Runyan of Melrose, New Mexico, Jared Purvines of Denver, Colorado, Allison and husband Greg Dawson of Dallas,Texas, and Austin McBee of Rabat, Morocco, her sister, Joveta Hayes of Water Valley, Texas, three step grandchildren Michelle and Jacob Sanchez of Albuquerque, New Mexico, Cathy and husband Jesse Haws of Arlington, Texas, and Jennifer Bright of Honolulu, Hawaii, and two great-grandchildren Treyson and Colten Runyan of Melrose, New Mexico. She was preceded in death by her loving husband, W.M. "Dub" Day, her parents Hazel and Lavada Yocham, and her brother Ted Yocham.
Services will be held Monday, January 6, 2014, 2:00pm at the First Baptist Church in Rankin. Reverend Randy Bush of San Angelo will officiate and pallbearers will be George Pierot, Jimmy McBee, Craig Purvines, Jared Purvines, Austin McBee, Clint Runyan, and Greg Dawson. Visitation will be Sunday, January 5th at the First Baptist Church in Rankin from 5 pm to 7 pm. She will be laid to rest in the Rankin Cemetery alongside husband Dub. Arrangements are under the care and direction of Shaffer- Nichols Funeral Home in Crane, Texas.
Donations in her honor can be sent to the Rankin Public Library, 310 E 10th Ave, Rankin, Texas 79778.