Fern Afton Johnson Day

Surrounded by her loving family, Fern Afton Johnson Day, passed away peacefully on the morning of June 12, 2017 as a result of deteriorating health which had accompanied her for much of her later years. Throughout her life her desire was to once again to be reunited with her loving mother who died when she was young.  She walked through the veil to a loving reunion of her mother, father, brothers, sisters, grandchildren and other precious loved ones who have anticipated her return.

Fern was born October 15, 1941 to Elizabeth Sellers and Louis Lorenzo Johnson at Utah Valley Hospital in Provo Utah.  She had a happy childhood living in Springville Utah, with her 12 siblings.  Some of her fondest memories include tagging along with her older sister Naomi, having bedtimes stories read to her by her brother Hyrum, and fighting with her brother Ron. But the most important memory for her was being held and spoiled by her loving mother.

At the age of 8 Fern’s life turned upside down when her mother died suddenly of a heart attack at the age of 49. She has always missed her mother. One experience she shares about her mother is hearing her voice of comfort at an especially hard time in her life.  She described it as “not hearing her actual voice ‘audibly’, but a voice that filled the room”.  She was sent to live with her sister Lucy who was 23 years older than her and already had children about her age. They worked hard and had limited time to play.

When she met George Henry Day, her future husband and eternal companion, she knew life would be better. They met in Sunday school class and at first she thought George was mischievous because he was often disruptive in class. Her thoughts changed at the age of 13 when she started to realize how kind a person he was. They started dating and loved to dance or anything else as long as they were together.  George was shy so she had to initiate the first kiss. Dates ended in prayer so they could meet their most important goal, to be sealed for time and all eternity in the temple. Often they would take George’s little brother Phil on their dates, who would act like he was sleeping as they said goodnight.

On Valentine’s Day in 1959, while sitting at his parent’s home with family all around, George slipped a ring on Fern’s finger. Being afraid that Lucy would make her give the ring back, she cautiously showed it to Lucy who replied, “Is it paid for”, to which George replied, “yes”, so she said Fern could keep it. They were married in the Los Angeles Temple on June 20, 1959, 12 days after graduating from high school.

Throughout her life she has worked a variety of jobs. Her first paid job was working at JCPennys. After getting married she got a job at First McNess, a company that sells household products. Because she needed a driver’s license George and her Sister Naomi had one week to teach her how to drive. Other jobs include managing a 7-11 store, overseas operator, news paper delivery, secretary, transcriber, baby sitting and many more. She would work anytime and at anything to help the family.

She has always been active in her family’s lives attending ball games, performances, baptisms, blessings and funerals. Her family is the most important thing to her and she could often be heard bragging about their accomplishments. Christmas was an especially important time for her. Handing out personally selected presents to each child was an especially important moment for her, to show how much she cared for each individual member.

She has lived in Oakland California, Murray Utah, Taylorsville Utah, Santaquin Utah, Payson Utah, Spanish Fork Utah, and Las Vegas Nevada.

She was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and served in many positions including genealogical service missionary, primary and relief society president and cub scout leader.

She is survived by her husband George Henry Day, her 5 children David (Maurine Monahan Day), Teri (Phil Erekson), Scott (Nanette Riley Day), Tony (Amiee Sherlin Day) and Kelli (Ralph Thomas), 24 grandchildren and 32 great grandchildren, brother Ron Johnson and sister Naomi Sheely.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, June 14 at the LDS Chapel located at 1961 West Washburn Road, North Las Vegas. Public viewing will be from 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Funeral service will take place at 5:00 pm. Interment will be on Thursday at the Evergreen Cemetery in Springville Utah.  Condolences may be sent to the family at www.lapalomafuneralservices.com.