James Leroy Day transitioned suddenly to be with our Heavenly Father on Sunday, October 10, 2021 at Southern Maryland Hospital. “Hooker” as he was affectionately called was born in Orange County, Virginia on February 14, 1938 to the late William O. and Alice I. Day.
Hooker grew up in Flat Run, Virginia where he was educated in the Orange County Public School system. He was a member of Pilgrim Baptist Church in Orange County, Virginia, which he would attend when he visited home. At an early age, Hooker relocated to the Washington, DC area where he gained employment performing various jobs and retired in 2000 from Safeway Stores.
He was blessed to father three children his son Ralph and two daughters Shelly and Alisa. In 1968, he met the love of his life Celia Annette and with this relationship two more daughters were added to his family Tammie and Karen.
Although Hooker lived in the city for many years, he maintained his country roots. He would cook wild game, smother it in gravy and try to pass it off as something else for others to eat. Making homemade wine and liquor were such an honored tradition and pastime from his days living in the country. He truly was an example of the old adage “you can take the boy out of the country; but, you can’t take the country out of the boy.” Hooker was country and proud of it.
Spending time with family and friends, taking long drives, fishing, listening to gospel and his favorite country music were some of the things Hooker enjoyed most. He also took great pleasure in playing cards with “the boyz in town” (DC) as well as playing pinochle and bid whist with family.
Hooker was a nurturer, encourager and protector of his family and willingly helped those he could and sought nothing in return. His sense of humor, quick wit, country sayings, positive outlook on life were some of the many things people admired about him.
He would call people who were getting up in age “old timers”, not because they were old, but because they had experience and wisdom. This old timer will truly be missed.
Hooker was preceded in death by his brothers Howard Day, William “Bill” Day, Ulysses “Champ” Day, and sisters, Cynthia “Pooh” Day and LaDrey Jasper.
Cherishing his memory are his loving and devoted companion, Celia “Annette” Johnson; one son, Ralph Johnson (Judith); four daughters, Shelly Queen, Alisa “Lisa” Anderson, Tammie Johnson (Michael), and Karen Johnson; four grandchildren, Tami Anderson, Joseph “Drew” Queen, Charles “CJ” Sanders, and Marcus Ellerbee; two great-granddaughters, Myira “Miss Meme” Anderson, Chayce Sanders; two brothers, Joseph “Rudy” Day (Bessie) and Vannesse Pollard; three sisters, Clarice Comfort (Garnett), Ruth “Teenie Rabbit” Cook, and Alvira “Baby Sis” M. Flower; two supportive nieces, Terry Day and Grechen Day; a special nephew, William “Bo” Comfort; and, loving nieces, nephews, and a host of other relatives and friends.
A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, October 23, 2021 at Mullins and Thompson Funeral Service, Fredericksburg Chapel at 1:00 pm, with the family receiving friends an hour prior to the service. Interment will follow in Pilgrim Baptist Church Cemetery.
Online condolences may be sent at www.mullinsthompsonfredericksburg.com
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