Afton Day

Afton Day, age 74, daughter of Hans and Eunice Jensen, succumbed to cancer on June 17, 2012. She lived one day at a time, grateful that she wasn't a handcart pioneer, and that she didn't contract the disease until she was nearly seventy.

Afton is survived by her husband Sherman Day and is blessed to have 3 children and 11 grandchildren: daughter Sandra Day, mother of grandchildren Katie Barnes, Tyson Barnes, and Kassie Barnes; son Brad Day married to Dena Buytendorp Day, parents of grandchildren Mary-Carson, Harris, and Davis; and daughter Kristin Day Lester married to Robert Lester, parents of grandchildren Jonathan, Ashleigh, Andrew, Jackson, and Joshua.

Afton grew up in Midvale, Utah. She attended Midvale Elementary School, Jordan High School, and graduated from Brigham Young University. She has received graduate degrees from The University of Georgia and Georgia State University. She was an elementary school teacher and vice-principal for twenty years. Afton published 4 bestselling LDS books including, "How to Be The Perfect Wife and Other Myths", "From Fat to Fit in Four Grueling Months", "Don't Trip Over Your Clouds of Glory", and "Coming Up From Down In The Dumps".

Afton gracefully served as the President's wife at four colleges and universities including North Georgia College and State University. After retirement Sherman and Afton fulfilled an LDS mission to San Francisco, California and then taught English in Beijing, China. Needless to say the highlights in her life were her marriage to Sherman Day in 1960 and the arrival of their children and grandchildren.

The family will receive guests at Bearden Funeral Home in Dawsonville on Wednesday June 20, 2012 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm and the funeral service will be held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints chapel on Highway 9 in Dahlonega at 10:00 am on Thursday June 21, 2012. In lieu of flowers the family would appreciate contributions to Children's Health Care of Atlanta, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Foundation Attn: Tribute and Memorial Gifts, 1687 Tullie Circle NE Atlanta, Georgia 30329 or online at www.giving.choa.org or the Winship Cancer Center at Emory University 1365 Clinton Road, NE Atlanta, Georgia 30322. The family is grateful for all the work done by family physician Dr. Mike Mulberry, Winship Cancer Center, oncologist Dr. Amelia Zelnak, and the Halcyon Hospice organization, specifically Mary Jo and Helen. Afton wanted to remember all her friends, Gold Creek neighbors and the LDS church members for all their help and support.

Condolences may be expressed at www.beardenfuneralhome.com.

Bearden Funeral Home, Dawsonville, GA