Freda Marie Day

Freda Marie Goldsberry Day stepped across Heaven’s threshold at 5:30 a.m. on Monday, October 30, 2023. She was born September 17, 1928, to Melvin Lewis Goldsberry and Cyrena Blanche Anderson Goldsberry near Halfway, Missouri. She was the sixth of ten children. Her rebirth in Christ Jesus happened in a revival meeting at the New Bethel Church, under the ministry of Sister Pauline Mastries, when she was eight years old. She related that the devil tried to keep her from stepping forward by reminding her that she had a hole in the sole of her shoe. She was reluctant, but finally determined it was well worth any embarrassment to be assured of eternal life in Heaven. Now she is enjoying the everlasting reward of that brave decision! As a small child, she was the “run and fetch it” helper for her three older brothers. Always a hard worker and anxious to please them all, they nicknamed her “Gold Nugget”! When she was twelve, Freda contracted diphtheria which advanced to the last stages. She was so ill during WWII that her brothers feared every letter from home would report her death. A faithful pastor, Reverend Jimmy Robertson, and her Sunday School teacher, Sister Nickum, would each fast and pray for her healing and visited her each week until she was suddenly healed after three years of near-death struggle. Freda met the handsome Gilbert L. Day shortly after his return from WWII at the Bolivar Assembly of God church. They were united in marriage on October 22, 1948, and enjoyed 57 years of marriage prior to Gilbert’s passing in 2005. To their union were born five children: Donald E. (Linda) Day of Republic, MO, Ronald D. Day of Bolivar, Bonnetta J. (Edward) Catron of Springfield, Loetta Eileen Day of Kearney, MO, and Anita Elaine Owens of Bolivar. Freda is preceded in death by her parents, Gilbert, her siblings: Philbert (Dorothy) Goldsberry, Naomi Blair, Howard Goldsberry, Ruth Hale, Paul Goldsberry, Dorothy Goldsberry, Bobby Goldsberry, Betty Dinkle and David (Janice) Goldsberry, Daughter-in-law, Millie Day, Son-in-Law, Jeff Owens, five grandsons; Matthew, Thomas, James, Andrew, and Ray Day, and one great-granddaughter, Madelynn Fournier. She is survived by her five children and 13 grandchildren: Jonathan Denton, Melinda Day Szabelski, Angela Denton Sumner, Karla Davidson Callaway, Chrystal Denton Kemp, Scott Davidson, William Day, Cyrena McGee Orlandos, Tabatha Owens Griffith, Ian Owens, Valerie McGee Clayton, Peter Day and Abby Owens Fournier. Freda also enjoyed 31 great grandchildren, one great, great grandson and one great-great granddaughter. Freda was also a faithful prayer warrior. If you were her child, grandchild, great-grandchild, cousin, niece, nephew, or friend, be assured your name was mentioned in her prayers many times over the years. It was always her hope to spend eternity with you in Heaven. Funeral services for Freda will be Thursday, November 2, 2023 starting at 11:00 A.M. at the Butler Funeral Home of Bolivar. A visitation will take place an hour before the service starting at 10:00 A.M. Memorial contributions may be made to the Convoy of Hope.

Freda Marie Day

September 17, 1928 - October 30, 2023