Joanna "Jodie" Day

Joanna "Jodie" L. Day was born April 16, 1968, in Seminole, Tx to Joe H. and Nona Matthews. After living a short time in Tatum, NM the family moved to Hobbs where Jodie lived until her passing on April 1, 2024.

Jodie married her soulmate Jeff Day on March 11, 1991, and they had a wonderful thirty-three-year marriage together.

Jodie's pride and joy was their son Kaden. She was the #1 fan of everything Kaden does from school to sports to hunting and fishing. She was a volunteer in his school, was team mom for many of his teams and spent hours upon hours fishing at Harry McAdams with him. Kaden is a replica of Jodie's love and kindness.

Jodie attend Hobbs Schools and graduation from HHS in 1986 where she was also a varsity cheerleader. She attended NMJC and USW earning her Bachelor of Science degree in 1995. She was a licensed educator and worked teaching at Sanger Elementary and Houston Jr High for twenty-eight years before her retirement in 2018. She loved her students like they were her own children and went above and beyond every day to support, encourage and better their lives. Jodie was an amazing teacher and won the prestigious Golden Apple award and the Veteto Excellence in Teaching Award. She was a member of Alpha Chi Honor Society.

Jodie was loyal, dedicated and always ready to lend a helping hand. If she was your friend, it was true friendship, and she would stand by you through thick and thin. When Jodie put her mind to something, it was going to happen! Sometimes a tad hardheaded but at the end of the day or days she succeeded more than she didn't.

Jodie's love and selflessness entered the room steps ahead of her. Her smile and warmth welcomed everyone she encountered. Jodie did not know a stranger!

Jodie loved to travel and especially loved trips to Mexico. She was the expert on Mexico all-inclusive resorts and was always helping friends plan trips. She loved live music and would sit for hours listening. During football season the Redskins were the only team to talk about. Sunday Funday included many hours of cheering for the Redskins.

Jodie is survived by her loving husband Jeff Day, and her precious son Kaden Day. Her mother Nona Matthews, mother-in-law Janie Day, half-sisters Anna Gamboa, Leslie Allen, and Amanda Crossland and her half-brother Craig Matthews (Hilda).

"Sister" Eileen Freydberg ("Baba" Bill), special family: Doc, Lauren, Maddy, Emme, Graycie Simon

Sister's-in-law: Deanne Richardson, Sheryl Lockmiller (Rick); brother-in-law Michael Day.

Nieces and nephews: Deryl Haynes Jr., Amanda Haynes, Andrew Mendoza.

Kaden's Nana and Papa

She was proceeded in death by her father Joe Matthews, sister Mona Matthews, nephew Derrick Haynes and her maternal and paternal grandparents.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the University of the Southwest in memory of Jodie's name for the future benefit of students desiring a degree in education.