Helen Elizabeth Cubley Day, aged 96, passed away peacefully on July 11, 2022, in Lafayette, LA. Born in Trout, LA, in 1925, she was the daughter of Jewell Tinnin Cagle Cubley and William Knox Cubley, Sr., both of Hattiesburg, MS. Helen grew up in Minden, LA, with six siblings--William Knox Cubley Jr., Louis Raymond Cubley, Robert Earl Cubley, Jewell Louise Cubley Shoup, Maudice Frances Cubley Gaston, and Hazel Merle Cubley May.
As a young woman working at the Louisiana Ordnance Plant during WWII, like many, she began writing to the soldiers overseas, and particularly to an Army Air Corps Tech Sergeant flying B-17s in the 8th Air Force. After returning from war with many warm letters from Helen, Warren Francis Day wooed her for one month, married her, and whisked her off to meet his family in Massachusetts. Thus began her 60-year marriage to the love of her life, whom she followed up north, then south again.
Their life together in Bossier City, LA, included lots of hard work and many adventures travelling across the US with their children in tow. Helen spent her early married life loving and disciplining her children to behave, get good school grades, and develop their individual talents. Later, she joined her husband in running Day Motor Company for many years. After Warren retired, she still had gas in her tank, so she began a long stint driving a school bus in Bossier Parish, where she always got to where she was going on time.
Dad always said she had “moxy,” and she did. She could drive a tractor, lay tile, hoe a garden, and keep a good bonfire going, all while thinking about the balanced meal (with three different colors) she was going to cook for her family. She could look under the hood of a car and likely tell you what was wrong, proudly reminding you she was the first woman in Louisiana certified to do annual auto inspections. She could type a letter faster than anyone, paint a beautiful picture, and hang it straight with her own tools. She enjoyed taking continuing education classes, writing life stories and poems, and sewing a beautifully tailored dress. She loved dancing, playing the piano and singing, and going to church. She took great pride in growing her own vegetables and having the prettiest yard on the street with her Louisiana Master Gardener pedigree. She shot her 28-gauge and her golf balls straight. And how she loved traveling the world with her family, never letting tiredness stand in the way of another adventure. Her friendly smile, her interest in other people, and her willingness to help will be remembered by many.
This very special woman was preceded in death by her husband Warren and all six of her siblings. She was most proud of her four children, whom she leaves to cherish her memory—Peggy Day Westerman [Robert], Dr. Arthur Linwood Day [Dana], Sandra June Day [Louis Maraist], and Dr. William Timothy Day [Marsha]. She is also survived by six grandchildren, seven step-grandchildren, and numerous great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.
Many thanks to her dedicated and loving caregivers, especially Linda Hogue and Pearl Plowden, who took such tender care of her, as well as the amazing staff at Traditions Hospice in Lafayette and Pelican Point Healthcare in Maurice.
A Service and Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, July 16, 2022, at 2:30 PM at Broadmoor United Methodist Church, 10230 Mollylea Drive, Baton Rouge 70815, with visitation beginning at 1 PM prior to the service. Pallbearers will be Douglas Howard Ferris, Gregory Alan Ferris, Todd Douglas Westerman, Kevin Matthew Diemont, Shay Weston Corbin, and Seth Weston Corbin.
Friends and family are invited to visit at the Westerman home following the funeral service. Interment to be at a later date where she will rest beside her family in Haughton, LA. “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the Race, I have kept the faith.” -2 Timothy 4:7.
In lieu of flowers, though she grew and adored them, she would likely be happy if you planted a tree and kept it watered. She would also want us to remind you to check the expiration date on your auto inspection sticker. For an online guest book, visit www.rabenhorst.com.
