Joel Arvel Day

Joel Arvel Day, a beloved retired minister and respected community member, passed away peacefully on April 4, 2026, in Benton, Arkansas. Born on July 5, 1934, in Meridian, Mississippi, Joel lived a life dedicated to service, faith, and family.

Joel’s journey was marked by his commitment to his country, serving honorably in the Army before devoting himself to his calling as a minister. Through his ministry, he touched many lives with compassion, wisdom, and unwavering guidance, earning the admiration and gratitude of those he served.

He is survived by his devoted wife, Audrey Euline Day, who stood by his side throughout their many years together. Joel was a proud father to three children: Audrey K. Tully and her husband Rod; Diane Rowe and her husband Dean; and Gary A. Day. Their children, in turn, blessed him with a cherished group of grandchildren: Mickey Edward McGuire and his wife Linda, Anthony Shane Scott, Amber Dawn Noyas and her husband Jake, Tobi Lynn Cole and her husband Leroy, Tiffany Farris, Jennifer Barks and her husband Ricky, and Cheyenne Adams and her husband Hunter. Joel’s legacy also lives on through his great-grandchildren, as well as several great-great-grandchildren.

Though deeply mourned, Joel’s family finds comfort in the loving memories they hold of not only him but also of the grandchildren they have lost: Michele Diane Light and Shaun Michael McGuire. Their memories remain a poignant part of the family’s story.

Joel Arvel Day’s life embodied devotion to his faith, his country, and most dearly, his family. While his presence will be profoundly missed, his legacy lives on in the lives he touched.