Sherry Day

Sherry Kay Day was certain that her life’s purpose was to champion the care of children and to strengthen their families. Her short, but highly impactful 36-year long journey to fulfill that mission was completed Friday, Sept.19, after losing a nine-year battle with brain cancer.

Upon the first diagnosis, doctors said the disease said could take her life “within three months”. Her persistence to fight the cancer, while raising a son and working in the lives of at-risk and neglected children, is now a legacy of determination and courage.

“Working in support of children was a calling for her, it wasn’t a job, it was what she lived for,” said husband Jamie Day at their family home Sunday. Jamie and Sherry were married a short, but adventurous, 16 years.

Early Years

One weekend evening, Sherry met Jamie at The Square in Athens through a mutual friend. Marriage and the birth of son Chase took place before Sherry graduated from Athens State University.

Working full-time during the day and taking classes at night did not deter Sherry from her vision of obtaining her bachelors degree and a rare chance to obtain a pre-graduation work internship at the Limestone County Department of Resources.

DHR Director Caroline Page said she was impressed with Sherry right away. So impressed, Page said, “that we offered Sherry a position as a child caseworker just before her graduation ceremony in 2002.

“Sherry was so organized and competent, families just knew their concerns and welfare were valuable and taken into consideration especially when children were involved,” she said.

New to the job, Sherry’s talents and competence were quickly tested when she was assigned a child welfare case involving an undocumented immigrant minor with an infant child. While the allegations of child welfare were questioned, the case attracted national attention because the infant and mom were separated while the case was being investigated.

Local attorney Patrick Anderson served as legal guardian for the teenage mother and worked closely with Sherry. Anderson said he was impressed with Sherry right away. “This all occurred at a time when such cases were almost unheard of in our community,” he said. “For Sherry, this wasn’t just another a family custody case, but rather, she understood that this type of situation would most likely happen again and she was creating a template for future child immigration cases.”

Anderson also said over the next decade, while Sherry worked in several DHR roles involving families Sherry continued to tenaciously work for the best interests of the child.

The battle against cancer

According to husband Jamie, the brain cancer appeared a few years into her career, when Sherry suddenly suffered a seizure and passed out. She was immediately taken to the hospital for a CAT scan and then moved to Huntsville for a biopsy to confirm the issue was a cancerous brain tumor.

The doctor, realizing the impact that chemotherapy and radiation treatments would have on her, suggested it would be best for her to live life as well as possible for the next three to six months with no treatments.

Sherry informed him that his opinion could not be an option. Online research and advice from family, friends and Sherry’s father led her to M.D. Anderson for surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. For the next five years, Sherry and her medical team kept the cancer in remission.

The last chapter

Coworker Gina Garth says she never knew anyone that set such high standards in their work and their fellow partners.

“Sherry sought perfection in all she did, and she often worked after hours and at home,” Garth said. “It was a calling for her. Her heart and soul was in her work. It was a case of loving what you do and doing what you love.”

When the cancer become active five years later, friends and coworkers say Sherry never questioned or complained about her illness. Close friend Kim Frost Broadway was alongside Sherry from the first diagnosis.

“I now work in the building where the doctor told her to enjoy her time with her family and I remember that day like it was yesterday,” Broadway said. “Every time I walk by that room I am reminded of how hard she fought and how she used Facebook to encourage other cancer fighters to battle the disease.”

Broadway also said she has never seen anyone use such grace and boldness in the fight against cancer.

At home the family remained united.

“Chase coped with the cancer by simply being a child and allowing himself to enjoy a close relationship with his mom as he grew into his teen years,” Jamie Day said.

Chase said his mom was both a good friend and a great mom and he never allowed her to pester him by her antics such as shouting out how much she loved him with the help of cardboard paper towel roll.

Sherry, who was aware of the energy the family extended during her care, requested that there be no funeral. Instead, friends and family are posting on her Facebook page and also on the Spry funeral home website.

Knowing the importance she placed on Chase to attend college, a fund has been set up at Reliance bank to help defray college education costs next year. Donations can be made at a branch location or checks may be mailed to:

Reliance Bank, re: Sherry Day Memorial Fund for Chase Day

PO BOX 30, Athens, AL 35612.