Shirley Ann Day

Shirley Day—beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and unofficial CEO of “Don’t Try Me”—departed this life as peacefully as she lived loudly, leaving behind a legacy of love, laughter, legendary outfits, and 85 years’ worth of receipts.

Born April 18, 1940, in Birmingham, Alabama, to John Hill Stoudemire Jr. and Martha Louise James Stoudemire, Shirley arrived with attitude and an invisible deck of cards already fanned in her tiny newborn hands.

She also developed a fabulously chic sense of style that could stop traffic—and did, more than once. Shirley didn’t just dress well; she dressed intentionally, like every day was a photo shoot and every hallway was a catwalk. If she showed up overdressed… that meant everyone else was underdressed.

In September 1960, Shirley married Richard Day and promptly moved to Decatur, Illinois—where she produced three small humans in rapid succession: Derrick (August 1962), Bryan (September 1963), and Michelle (December 1964). After a few years, she came to the unavoidable conclusion that living in Decatur is simply not a place for people with sense (sorry, Decatur) and relocated her family right back to Detroit in 1967. There, she began her long run with the Better Business Bureau—a job perfectly suited for a woman who could sniff out foolishness like a bloodhound with a mission. Never one to be outshined—even by her own children—Shirley went on to graduate from Lewis College of Business in 1975. She balanced motherhood, full-time work, academic success, and a closet that stayed on point.

Shirley retired in 2000 as an Arbitration Specialist, which is a dignified way of saying she spent decades professionally shutting down arguments before people embarrassed themselves in front of witnesses. Truly, she was doing the Lord’s work.

Outside of work, Shirley traveled at every opportunity, played cards like a world champion (or at least a world-class creative rule-interpreter), and spoiled her grandkids relentlessly. All 16 of them. And then the 15 great-grandkids after that. Each would swear they were her favorite. Each was wrong. She had a favorite. No one knows who it was. That secret is now sealed in eternity.

Shirley is survived by her children: Derrick Day (Mai), Bryan Day (Antonia), and Michelle Chase. She is also survived by her beloved grandchildren:

Derrick’s children: Tiffany, Tameka, Donovan, Troy, Zachary, Derrick II, Anthony & 5 Bonus Kids.

Bryan’s children: Chelsea and Cameron

Michelle’s children: D’Carlo, Angela, Darin, Lamarrie, Donica, Amber, and DeSean…along with 7 confirmed great-grandchildren and an unspecified number, courtesy of Lamarray --all carrying a spark of her charm, humor, stubborn streak, or flair for the dramatic.

She is preceded in death by her parents and her siblings—Louise, Drayton, and Robert—no doubt waiting to greet her with open arms, warm laughter, and outfits nowhere near as sharp as hers.

Though she’s gone, her stories, humor, love, and unforgettable fashion sense live on. Shirley left this world with the same dignity and sparkle she displayed every day—reminding us that life is short, family is everything, and you should always dress like you expect to run into somebody who said you’d never be anything.

Rest in peace, Shirley.

And if anyone in heaven tries to act up… we already know who’s running the Arbitration Department now.