Cecil DAY

1954 - 2017

DAY, Jr, Cecil Burke Cecil Burke Day, Jr. went home to be with his Lord on Sunday, March 5, 2017 after a courageous battle with muscular dystrophy and complications from a stroke. Born April 12, 1954 in Jacksonville, N.C. to Cecil Burke Day, Sr. and Marian Uldine (Deen) Smith, he was the eldest of 5 children. His father Cecil will be waiting for him at heaven's gate along with son Thomas, and grandparents Kathaleen Lassiter & Albert Martin Smith II, and Kathleen Burke & Rev. Lon L. Day, Sr. Those who knew Burke loved his wit and mischievous sense of humor. Although diagnosed with a rare muscle disease that would take away his ability to walk, he didn't let that keep him from enjoying life to the fullest. He was a great friend with a generous heart, always willing to help when he saw a need. Baptized at a young age, Burke loved the Lord and dedicated his life to serving Him. He grew up in Dunwoody Baptist Church and would marry his "girlfriend" Sally there. His father brought him into the family business after high school and Burke learned the motel business from the ground up, helping to dig the foundation of the first Days Inn on Tybee Island. Those years of working by his father's side gave Burke a keen sense of how to treat others in business and life. His dad would always say, "It's not a good deal unless it's a good deal for both parties." Burke would later go on to author the book, Day by Day, telling the story of his late father's success in the hospitality industry. Burke met his high school sweetheart Sally at Peachtree High in Dunwoody and later they would marry and start a family. They welcomed three sons in short order: Brandon, Jonathan and Daniel. Whether it involved a weekend getaway with Sally or a one-on-one trip with a son, Burke always made it a priority to spend quality time with his family. When grandchildren came along, he relished his role as Poppa. He will be remembered as a great husband, father and grandfather. Burke always told Sally that while he didn't know what was in their future, he assured her it would never be boring. And he was right! He studied at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in NYC and Mercer University in Atlanta, GA. He began building homes in Atlanta and then Tybee Island, where the family would move in 1991. Burke and Sally joined Chapel by the Sea Baptist Church and settled into a slower pace of life. But, God had other plans. On a dare, he ran for city council on Tybee and won, always joking that he wanted a recount! He served two terms before accepting another challenge - this time to run for the State House. He was elected to the Georgia House of Representatives in 1994 and served 16 years before his retirement in 2010. During his tenure in the Georgia House, Burke served on the Appropriations, Ways and Means, and Veterans Affairs committees, as well as serving 16 years on the Public Safety & Homeland Security committee where he served as chairman the last 5 years. He was exceptionally gifted and adept at dealing with people and understanding the workings of government. In 2007, he was honored to participate in The International Conference on Counter-terrorism in Israel. The Stephens-Day Homestead exemption was just one of many pieces of legislation authored by Burke. He was blessed by the many friends he made while in office. He retired from public office in 2010 with no regrets, having done the work the Lord had called him to do. Not content to sit idly by after his retirement from the House of Representatives, Burke became POST certified serving the State of Georgia as a Chaplain for law enforcement officers and their families. The City of Tybee Island honored Burke with the dedication of the Burke Day Public Safety Building in 2015. Burke was loved by wife Sally; sons Brandon (Andrea), Jonathan (Nikki), and Daniel (Franca); grandchildren Madison and Dean; mother Deen Day Sanders (Jim); siblings Kathie, Clint, Peyton (Vicky) and Parke (Forrest); aunt Carole Smith, uncle Albert Smith (Maryjane); and a host of nieces, nephews and friends. Our lives were blessed and enriched by his devotion to family and love for others. The family would like to thank caregivers Desiree Blakemore and Lakeisha Davis, Hospice Savannah and the ongoing support of their church family at Chapel by the Sea. Remembrances may be made to the Burke Day Chaplaincy Fund at Chapel by the Sea, PO Box 235, Tybee Island, GA.31328 or Hospice Savannah. Visitation will be Tuesday, March 7, 2017 from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel. The funeral service will be held at Immanuel Baptist Church, 7375 Hodgson Memorial Drive on Wednesday, March 8, 2017 at 1:00 p.m., officiated by Rev. Dr. David Laughner. Interment will be at Arlington Memorial Park, Sandy Springs, GA. on Thursday, March 9, 2017 at 1:00 p.m. followed by a family reception from 3:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. at Bellmere, Duluth, GA. "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." 2 Tim.4:7 Please sign our online guestbook at www.foxandweeks.com Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel, Savannah, Georgia (912) 352-7200.