Iris Day, 87, of Pampa, passed away, June 29, 2021 in Amarillo with her family and caregivers by her side.
Services will be 10:00 AM, Friday, July 2, 2021 at the Carmichael-Whatley Colonial Chapel with Chaplain Ken Branum of the High Plains Senior Care Hospice, officiating. Burial will follow at Memory Gardens Cemetery under the direction of Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors. Iris’ service will be livestreamed thru the funeral home’s website.
Born May 28, 1934 in Pampa, she was the youngest of six girls with whom she had remarkable relationships. After graduating from Pampa High School in 1952, she married the love of her life Barney Ralph Day in August that same year. Together they traveled all across the nation going to rodeos, gun shows, water ski tournaments and horse sales.
During their 68-year marriage, they enjoyed camping, water skiing, motorcycles, horses, and more importantly their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Their marriage was one to envy, putting their love for each other before anyone. Kisses and holding hands were daily occurrences and all who knew them looked up to their exemplary relationship.
During her professional career, Iris worked at Woolworths where she enjoyed working with friends, then ultimately began a career as an executive secretary to the company’s president and vice president, as well as the travel coordinator for Cabot Corporation in Pampa. Through multiple sales of the company, she remained steadfast in her work and retired after 43 years of service. The Cabot family and officers trusted her to all Cabot ranch reservations and company travel. She traveled extensively through her career and served as a “Fair Lady” advocate for American Airlines.
Active in the community, she was a founding Board member of the Pampa Civic Ballet and served many years as an officer for the Pampa Boat & Ski Club.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Bessie and Jack Stockton of Pampa; her husband of 68 years Ralph Day; and by four sisters, Betty Derryberry, Barbara Whitten, Lillie (Tillie) Stephens, and Francine Duggan.
Her beloved survivors include two daughters, Angela Knapp Eggers and husband Vincent of Amarillo, Anita Ford and husband Ed of Lake Worth, FL; two granddaughters, Mandy Persick and husband David of Grosse Tete, LA; Shelby Massey and husband Joel of Granbury, and two grandsons, Philip Knapp and wife Ashley of Amarillo, and Eric Ford of Lake Worth, FL. She is also survived by seven great-grandchildren, Jack Massey, Ellis Massey, Carter Knapp, Benjamin Knapp, Benjamin Persick, Henry Persick, and Joshua Persick; a sister, Novella Burns of Lefors; and other extended family and many friends.
Iris had a beautiful relationship with her caregivers, Melissa Cottrell, Jessica Reed, as well as with the staff of MC Cares of Amarillo, Mary Carrasco, Erica, Amber, Alice, and others who the family would like to extend much gratitude. They are also thankful for the High Plains Senior Care Hospice for their loving care to Iris for more than two years.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to the Alzheimer’s Association -- https://www.alz.org/ or the First United Methodist Church of Pampa, P.O. Box 1981 Pampa, TX 79066-1981.
Please sign the online registry at www.carmichael-whatley.com.
