March 17, 1922 – October 11, 2020

Due to covid, a graveside service only with immediate family and friends will be 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, October 14, 2020 at Resthaven Memory Gardens in Oklahoma City, OK.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Oklahoma Baptist Homes for Children, 3800 N. May Ave., Oklahoma City, OK 73112 or your favorite charity. 

A. Janice (Koons) Day went to be with her Lord and Savior with joy on Sunday, October 11, 2020 in Chickasha, Oklahoma at the age of 98. She was born March 17, 1922 in Ft. Smith, Arkansas to Chann and Grace Koons.

Janice entered the Ft. Smith Education Program and graduated from the Ft. Smith Senior High School in May, 1939. In August, 1939 she enrolled in The University of Oklahoma and received her Life Teaching certificate and a B.S. Degree in Physical Ed in 1944.  She later returned to O.U. and received a Master’s of Education in Early Childhood in 1976.

Janice and Harly Day met in Norman, Oklahoma when she was a student at O.U. and Harly was in the Naval Service at the Norman South Navy Base.  After Harly was Honorably Discharged from the Navy, he and Janice were married on May 30, 1946 in the First Baptist Church in Norman.  Harly and Janice were married almost 66 years.

After graduating, she taught Women’s Physical Ed. Class at OU for a semester.  She then went on to work for 2 ½ years at the Navy Base.  She taught at O.U. Sooner City Nursery and Kindergarten, 1947-1950.  She then spent the next 12 years “mothering” her two sons.  In 1962, she converted her degree to a B.S. in Elementary Education attending O.C.L.A. and taught kindergarten on the O.C.L.A campus, 1963-1964.

Janice taught kindergarten for 22 years in Norman and Chickasha Dick & Jane.  When First Baptist Church of Chickasha opened a kindergarten they asked Janice to organize and direct it, which she did for five years, 1964-1969.  In 1969 the Chickasha Public Schools opened five kindergarten classes and Janice began teaching for Chickasha from 1969 to 1984 when she retired after 15 years.

Janice was active in several organizations, but her first love has always been her First Baptist Church Family in Chickasha for 60 years.  She served as church librarian and was an active member of the Senior Church Group, Triple L and a volunteer for Meals on Wheels for many years. She was active in the Gideon Auxiliary and TRIAD for 18 years.  A member of The Cancer Support Group which met at Grady Memorial Hospital with Maggie Griffith, as a Facilitator for the American Cancer Society for 19 years.  She was an American Cancer Society “Reach to Recovery” certified Volunteer (for breast cancer patients) and a breast cancer survivor.  A member of Kappa Kappa Iota for 43 years and the Grady County retired Educators for 29 years, which was elected the 2004 VIM.

She and Harly had been season ticket holders to the O.U. basketball games for almost 20 years which they enjoyed attending and specially enjoyed supporting Coach Sampson and the Sooners.

She is preceded in death by her husband Harly Day, her parents, Chann and Grace Koons; her son Lance Day; grandson Steve Owens, great grandson Nick Owens and brother Dick Koons and his wife Barbara.

Janice is survived by her son, Brian Day;

Grandsons, Erik Day and wife Sabrina; and Zach Day;

and granddaughter, Lori Owens-Miller and husband Joe.

10 great grandchildren and 4 great-great grandchildren.

Services are under the direction of Sevier Funeral Home, Chickasha, OK.