In less than 24 hours, a second long-time employee of the Vicksburg Post died. Martha Day, 85, who was The Vicksburg Evening Post society editor for more than 20 years died a little before noon, Thursday.

Day taught kindergarten at Crawford Street United Methodist Church for a short time before going to work at The Vicksburg Evening Post, where she worked with brides-to- be and brides, reported on social events in the community and covered the annual Miss Mississippi Pageant. She also wrote a weekly column.

“Martha worked with both my father and me,” former owner of The Vicksburg Post Pat Cashman said.

“She knew everybody and everybody knew Martha,” she said. “She did all of our weddings.”

“I called her Aunt Martha my whole life,” family friend Hunter Fordice said.

“She was one of my mother’s dearest friends and not only was she a wonderful lady, she was an incredibly special person in the community, and the newspaper was a big part of her life. The last three of four times I went to visit her the newspaper was brought up in our conversation,” Fordice said.

“Martha was about the most passionate Miss Mississippi reporter and fan I’ve ever known. And throughout the rest of the year, she was passionate about her brides and their weddings,” former managing editor Karen Gamble said.

In addition to her services at The Vicksburg Evening Post, Day was a member of United Methodist Women at Crawford Street, served as president of the Vicksburg Junior Auxiliary, was a charter member of the Warren County Beautification Commission, serving as secretary, president of the Vicksburg Needlework Guild, was a member of Hester Flowers Garden Club and chaired many benefits for health and other community improvements.

As a member of the Vicksburg Business and Professional Women’s Club, Day received the Woman of Achievement Award and was also presented the Book of Golden Deeds Award by the Kiwanis Club.

“Martha lived a wonderful life and had a great family; she is a woman of a special generation,” Fordice said.

Day is survived by her husband, Donald (Don) Day, Sr., four sons, Jerry Donald Day, Jr., and his wife Denise of New Bern, N.C.; Jason Randolph Day, Sr., and his wife Diane of Greensboro, N.C.; Timothy Parker Day, Sr., and his wife Dory, of Greensboro, N.C.; and William Robert Day, Sr., of Oxford. She is also survived by her grandchildren Matthew Donald Day and his wife Kristen, Sarah Anne Day, Jason Randolph Day, Jr., Sean Murphy, Erin Murphy, Timothy Parker Day, Jr., Jordan Elizabeth Day, Maggie Martha Day, William Robert Day, Jr., and Savannah Sue Day. Mrs. Day has two great grandchildren, Lily and Violet.

Services will be 2 p.m. Saturday at Crawford Street United Church with the Rev. Cary Stockett officiating. There will be no visitation.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Crawford Street United Methodist Church, 900 Crawford Street, Vicksburg, MS, 39180 and to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN, 38105.