Reverend Fredrick Emerson Day

Fredrick Emerson Day

Fredrick Emerson “Brother Fred” Day, 84, of Centreville, Mississippi, was welcomed into the presence of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on July 1, 2026, while surrounded by his loving family at home.

Brother Fred was born on September 6, 1941, in Hardwood, Louisiana, to Ocie Leon Day and Gladys Irene Day. From an early age, God was preparing him for a life of ministry marked by unwavering faith, humble service, and a genuine love for people.

While attending Louisiana College, he met the love of his life, Janice Byrd. From the moment they met, they both knew God had brought them together. They were married on August 3, 1962, and shared nearly 64 wonderful years together. Their love for one another became the foundation of a lifetime of ministry as they faithfully followed God’s call wherever He led.

Brother Fred earned his Master of Theology degree from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and faithfully pastored churches beginning in 1962 in Harrisonburg, Buras, and Tioga, Louisiana. During those years, he and Janice sensed God’s call to missions. In 1975, they were appointed by the Foreign Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention and moved with their family to the South American country of Suriname. There they devoted themselves to planting churches, making disciples, and sharing the hope of Jesus Christ. Believing people should hear the Gospel in the language of their hearts, the entire family learned Dutch in order to minister effectively to the diverse people groups of Suriname.

In 1982, Brother Fred was appointed to serve in a leadership role with the International Mission Board in the Middle America and Caribbean Region. This assignment took the family first to Puerto Rico and later to Fort Lauderdale, Florida. In this role, he faithfully encouraged, equipped, and supported missionaries and churches throughout the region, continuing the work that had become the passion of his life.

Brother Fred’s ministry extended far beyond the pulpit. After retiring and moving to Centreville, Mississippi, he served for a time as Associate Pastor of Centreville Baptist Church, faithfully visited the homebound and hospitalized, and became deeply involved in the church’s Food Pantry Ministry.

His passion for gardening brought him great joy, especially when sharing the fruits of his labor with the homebound and neighbors in need. Whenever he visited those who could no longer attend church, he often brought along his beloved accordion—affectionately known as his “squeezebox.” He would play familiar hymns that filled homes with joy, comfort, and cherished memories.

Through the Food Pantry Ministry, Brother Fred greeted families with warmth and compassion as they came through the food distribution line. He faithfully prayed with them at their car windows and made sure they left knowing they were loved by God. His greatest desire was that every person he met would come to know Jesus Christ as their Savior.

Brother Fred enjoyed hunting, spending time with his family, and encouraging others in their walk with Christ. His favorite Scriptures, John 3:16 and Proverbs 3:5–6, were far more than favorite verses—they were the truths by which he lived.

Above every title he ever held, Brother Fred treasured being a husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. His daughters were proudly “Daddy’s girls.” They shared countless adventures, endless laughter, and more inside jokes than anyone else could understand. His wonderful sense of humor, quick wit, endless puns, and the special bond he shared with his girls will forever remain among their most treasured memories.

Brother Fred is survived by his beloved wife, Janice Byrd Day; his daughters, Connie McCray (Chris), Anita Fenn (Scott), and Amanda Hemingway (Jack); his grandchildren, Madeline Gonzalez (Mason), Zoe Patterson (Tyler), Riley Causey (Carson), Schaeffer Walls (Drew), Emma Walls and his cherished great-grandchildren, Charlotte Causey, Cooper Causey, Lennon Rosata, Myles Gonzalez, Micah Gonzalez, and Hartlee Patterson. He was also blessed with seven “bonus” grandchildren Mason Fenn, Brooke Blount, Alex McCray, Zach McCray, Madi McCray, John Michael Hemingway, and Jackie Hemingway.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ocie Leon Day and Gladys Irene Day; his brothers, Harry Day and Julian Day; and his sisters, Anita Howard and Jean Elliott.

Brother Fred’s greatest desire was that everyone he met would come to know Jesus Christ. Whether preaching from a pulpit, serving on the mission field, praying beside a hospital bed, sharing vegetables from his garden, playing hymns on his beloved “squeezebox,” or simply sharing a laugh with family and friends, he lived each day pointing others to his Savior.

The seeds he planted—in churches, on mission fields, in gardens, in the hearts of his family, and in the lives of countless people around the world—will continue to bear fruit for generations to come. While those who loved him grieve his absence, they rejoice with the confident hope that, after a life faithfully lived for Christ, he has now heard the words every faithful servant longs to hear:

“Well done, good and faithful servant… Enter into the joy of your Lord.”

Matthew 25:23

A Celebration of Life service will be held at Centreville Baptist Church, Saturday, August 15, 2026 at 10:30am in Centreville, MS.