Martha Guilford Hickman Day died Thursday, June 16, 2016, at her home in Vicksburg. She was 85. Mrs. Day was born in Wilmington, N.C., on May 3, 1931. She was the daughter of the late Mellie Longfellow Hickman and William Robert Hickman.

When she was young, her parents moved to Raleigh, N.C., where she attended school and graduated from Morrison High. She was a member of Future Homemakers of America and a recipient of numerous state awards for design. She attended the Feree’ School of Art.

She was first employed by Ivey-Taylor of Raleigh and Ashville, N.C., in the advertising department as a fashion and display artist. She later moved to Durham, N.C., where she worked as a commercial artist and display director with Ellis Stone Company. She held several positions with advertising agencies in Durham, and also with the Durham Sun Newspaper.

Mrs. Day met Jerry Donald Day of Charlotte, N.C., while he was attending Duke University in Durham. They married in December 1953.

After Mr. Day’s graduation in January 1954, they moved to Aberdeen, Md., where he was employed as a nuclear physicist at the Research Center of Aberdeen Proving Ground. They also resided in Bel Air, Md., where their four sons were born.

In 1964, the Days moved to Vicksburg, which was to remain their home, when Mr. Day accepted a position at the U.S. Army Waterways Experiment Station, now the Engineering and Research Development Center.

Mrs. Day taught kindergarten at Crawford Street United Methodist Church for a short time before going to work as the Vicksburg Evening Post society editor. She continued at the newspaper for 20 years, including the transition of the section to Topic. In this role, 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. This was a job she enjoyed greatly, and after retirement she said she missed it every day of her life.

Mrs. Day was a member of United Methodist Women at Crawford Street, where she enjoyed fellowship in Sunday school, Bible study and church circle. She was a member and served as president of the Vicksburg Junior Auxiliary and was a charter member of the Warren County Beautification Commission, serving as secretary. Mrs. Day was president of the Vicksburg Needlework Guild and was a member of Hester Flowers Garden Club. She chaired many benefits for health and other community improvements.

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

Mrs. Day is survived by her husband, Jerry Donald “Don” Day Sr., of Vicksburg; four sons, Jerry Donald Day Jr., and his wife Denise of New Bern, NC, Jason Randolph Day Sr., and his wife Diane of Greensboro, NC, Timothy Parker Day Sr., and his wife Dory, of Greensboro, NC, 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, June 18, 2016, at Crawford Street United Methodist 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.