Lawana Faye Day

Lawana Faye Day of Maryville, TN, peacefully passed away on Thursday, July 31, 2025, after a courageous battle with cancer.

Born on July 10, 1958, in Beaumont, Texas, Lawana was the daughter of Curtis Melvin and Marjorie Day. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Roger Dale Day, and her sister Bonita Lolei Day.

A passionate educator, Lawana taught English for 26 years at the Blount County Campus of Pellissippi State Community College, where she earned the deep respect and affection of both students and colleagues. Humble, hardworking, generous, and kind, she consistently placed the needs of others above her own. She had a special gift for mentoring new faculty members and relished every opportunity to exchange teaching ideas with colleagues. Known for her dedication to her students, she spent countless hours offering individual support to help them become more confident writers and thinkers.

Her colleagues valued not only her mentorship, but also her integrity and quiet leadership. She served as a representative to the Faculty Council and Senate for two decades. Though reserved and thoughtful, when Lawana chose to speak, her words—rooted in logic and calm conviction—carried weight. One colleague described her as “our steady, calm, and trustworthy voice.”

Lawana earned both her B.A. and M.A. in English from West Texas State University and moved to Maryville in 1983, where she later completed her doctorate at the University of Tennessee. She and her sister Lolei made East Tennessee their permanent home, drawn in by the region’s lush beauty and warm community. They traveled to Texas frequently to stay connected with family.

An avid gardener, Lawana found joy in designing flowerbeds and searching for the perfect blend of blooms. She cared for her garden with the same quiet devotion she brought to every part of her life. Ever generous, she shared bulbs and seeds with friends—one of whom now fondly refers to their blooms as “Lawana lilies.”

She is survived by her brother Dannie Durand Day; nieces and nephews Denise Daniel, Shelly Sayre, Mary Western, Michele Couret, Curtis Day, Daniel Day, and Chrystal Day; and many beloved grand-nieces and grand-nephews.

The family would like to thank Carol Luther, Marty Teffeteller, Betsy Boyd, Michael and Kelsey Hmielewski, and Kathy Byrd for their help and friendship during Lawana’s health challenges.

Services are under the direction of Riley Funeral Home in Woodville, Texas, and will be held on Monday August 18, 2025 at 10am. Her ashes will be interred at Steel Grove Cemetery in Colmesneil, Texas.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Lawana’s memory to one of these organizations: Knoxville Botanical Garden and Arboretum @ www.knoxgarden.org or to the Pellissippi State Foundation @ https://www.pstcc.edu/foundation/giving