Wilma Day

Wilma Jean Young was born on November 17, 1944, in Eubank, KY while her father was in the US Navy during World War two. She was the fifth of fourteen children of Herstle Harold (Harry) and Magdaline Rutheford. The family lived very near her Young grandparents and for the first five years of her life she was mostly raised by her grandmother Amy Young. After the war her father became a railroad engineer, moving the family and five-year-old Wilma to Oakdale, TN for a more convenient rail hub. Over the next few years as the family grew Wilma became the second mother to her younger siblings.

After completing her primary education in the Oakdale school system, she went on scholarship to Knoxville Business College. She obtained room and board by serving as nanny to the Children of Jo and Dr. Walter Beahm who became a second family. While there she met her future husband Bruce while he worked at K25 in Oak Ridge. They were introduced by one of Bruce’s college roommates who lived in Wilma’s neighborhood.

She worked to put Bruce through the University of Alabama medical school in Birmingham, first as assistant to a bank loan officer and later as the office manager for the construction company Henry C Beck building two of Birmingham’s first skyscrapers. She did so well as to be offered training for the company’s executive track. She declined as it would mean separation from her husband till he completed school.

After med school she became an army wife for five years, three at Fort Bliss, in El Paso, Texas, and two at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama. During those years they were able to travel extensively, including a mule ride in the Grand Canyon and many camping trips in the rustic small parks in Texas and New Mexico. Wilma took advantage of post facilities to become proficient in painting and pottery. Her first child, Amy, was born in Huntsville hospital.

After the military the family moved to Hendersonville, TN, where she assumed the role of homemaker and mother to Amy and 3 years younger David. She was active in the parent teacher’s organization and made many friends in her neighborhood. She suffered the deaths of her parents, several siblings and in 2019 the death of daughter Amy. Despite these she continued to make a home for her family and be a good friend to her neighbors as she became the oldest of her surviving siblings. No matter the situation, visiting her Young relatives always brightened her mood.

Preceded in Death by her parents Harry and Maggie Young of Oakdale, TN; Sisters: Louise Wesley (Leon), Shirley Abell, Barbara Brown, Patricia Young; Brothers: Ralph, George (Shug), Donnie, Ronnie, and Doug; Daughter: Amy Jo Day. Survived By: Husband of 57 years Bruce Day, Son: David Andrew Day, Brother: Wayne Young (Tina) of Oakdale, TN, Sisters: Sharon David (Larry) of Keno, KY, Debbie Langley (Doug) of Oakdale, TN, Brenda Young of Dalton, GA, Sherry Scarbro of Dalton, GA. Many aunts, nieces, nephews and cousins, and the Beahm children, Megan Swaggerty, John Beahm, Lisa Mandrell, and David Beahm, all of whom loved her dearly.

A visitation will be held on Saturday, December 20, 2025, from 12pm-2pm at Hendersonville Funeral Home. The Celebration of Life will begin at 2pm in the Chapel followed by placement at Hendersonville Memory Gardens.