Margaret Ann (Hanes) Day, devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Saturday, January 4, 2025, in Dallas, Texas. She was 90. At the time of her passing, Margaret resided at Iris Memory Care of Turtle Creek in Dallas, Texas, and was a member of First Baptist Church, Van, TX, where her husband James was pastor from 1968‑1981.

Margaret Hanes was born on April 4, 1934, in Marietta, Texas, to Ernest and Jewel (Heard) Hanes, who ran a 25-acre farm raising melons, corn, beans, and some cattle, pigs, and chickens. Margaret attended the Marietta and Naples schools, where she was named valedictorian at Paul H. Pewitt High School in 1952. Margaret was a cheerleader, and she was actively involved at Oak Ridge Baptist Church (Marietta), where she grew up with her childhood sweetheart and eventual husband, James Elliott Day.

Just 3 days after her high school graduation (1952), Margaret and James were married in a small wedding ceremony in the living room of the Hanes family home. After a short honeymoon, the couple moved to California for a year, where both attended California Bible College. After the couple dedicated their lives to full-time Christian ministry, it began a journey of raising 5 kids with James pastoring 11 Baptist churches in 3 different states.

The full-time pastorates included the following churches: Piney Grove Baptist (Pittsburg, TX); East New Hope Baptist (Mt. Pleasant, TX); Cason Baptist (Daingerfield, TX); Tempe Bible (Phoenix, AZ); Boulevard Baptist (Coolidge, AZ); First Baptist (Van, TX); First Baptist (San Augustine, TX); New River Baptist (St. Amant, LA); Oak Ridge Baptist (Marietta, TX); First Baptist (Avinger, TX); and Silver Lake Baptist (Grand Saline, TX).

Margaret was affectionately called "Mimi" by her family and was world-renowned for her "Mimi rolls," an old-fashioned yeast roll that has not been replicated—though often attempted by others. Margaret loved to sing in the church choir, and she was involved in all church activities, including teaching Sunday School, VBS, GAs, and AWANAs. One of her greatest "loves," though, was serving her family. Not only did she serve them through her wonderful Southern cooking, but also through her sharing of the Gospel to her 5 children.

Margaret Day was preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, James Elliott Day of Van, and her parents, Ernest and Jewel Hanes of Marietta. Her surviving family members include:

1 Sister: Carolyn Boyd (Canyon)

5 Children (+ Spouses): Alan & Lisa Day (San Antonio); Sheryl & Tim McFarlin (Dallas);
Tim & Shirley Day (Plano); Chris & Cindy Day (Jacksonville); and Benjamin & Lee Day (Dallas)

22 Grandchildren (+ Spouses): Joshua & Katie Day (Quenemo, KS); Nathan & Allison Day (North Richland Hills); Jeremy & Ladonna Day (Sault Ste. Marie, MI); Hannah Day (San Antonio); Jesse Day (San Antonio); Levi Day (San Antonio); Leah Day (San Antonio); Gracie Day (Birmingham, AL); Ryan McFarlin & Antonino Li Brizzi (Dallas); Joseph & Beth Day (Dayton, OH); Oliver & Brooke Day (Dallas); Maggie & Andrew Roehrig (McKinney); Annie and Clayton Stiles (Plano); Lily & Austin Farley (Bend, OR); Patrick Day (Fort Campbell, KY); Addison & Anna Day (Rockwall); Robby & Emily Day (Grapevine); Katy Day (Dallas); Mercer & Caroline Day (Chapel Hill, NC); Ellie & Brian Herz (Fort Worth); Preston Day (Dallas); and Lilah Day (Dallas)

38 Great-Grandchildren: Spread across the country

On Monday, January 13, at 2:00, there will be a graveside service at Oak Ridge Cemetery in Marietta, Texas. Following will be a reception in the fellowship hall at Oak Ridge Baptist.