Roylene Latch Day was born on August 29, 1938, in Wink, Texas. She passed away on August 2, 2024, in Fredericksburg, Texas, at the age of 85. Roylene was a graduate of Odessa High School, in Odessa, Texas. In school, she was active in the homemaking arts, and was a voracious reader, but her real love was singing, both in her high school choir as well as her church choir. As a child and teenager, while shy about performing solos, Roylene loved singing in school, in church, or with her parents and sisters on car trips, short and long. Through challenges, struggles, and triumphs, Roylene's life was full of music from the start.

While growing up, Roylene and her immediate family frequently gathered with the large groups of relatives on both her father's and mother's sides. Even as children, she and her sisters, Faye and Lois, would usually be called upon to sing for the rest of those assembled, harmonizing as they sang. This love of family rooted deeply in Roylene creating a lifelong appreciation and near reverence for the role a family plays in one's life. Sadly, over the course of a matter of months, between the ages of 4 and 6, Roylene experienced first the loss of a sister, Betty Jean, who was dragged to death by a horse, and then her father, who died of acute leukemia. These tragedies would forever affect her life, resulting in a woman who truly empathized with those in pain or suffering loss. Years later, when her mother remarried, Roylene found joy helping her stepdad building and repairing things in his workshop, always preferring to be outside rather than staying in the house. While she always missed her gentle and loving father, she was grateful for the kindness and acceptance of her stepdad.

On December 8, 1956, Roylene married the love of her life, Robert Lewis (Bob) Day. As a choral director, Bob recognized what an extraordinary voice God had given Roylene, and through his encouragement, she became a much sought-after soloist everywhere they lived. Roylene was initially scared of singing solos in public venues, and would worry all during the preceding week, or even try to decline participation. Bob, knowing what a gift she had to share, dealt with this by putting her name in the church bulletin as Sunday's special music, and informing her of such on Saturday, leaving her little time to fret. She eventually overcame her fears and came into her own as a soloist, and the world was a better place because her voice rang out with joy and confidence. While many people have beautiful singing voices, God blessed Roylene with a depth and warmth that is seldom heard. She lifted her voice to sing in both formal and informal settings. Whether traveling to move, going on vacation, or simply heading to town, the family car was always filled with the sound of singing and laughter, usually begun because Roylene burst out in song.

Roylene considered the role of mother to be one of the highest callings. Holidays and birthdays were always an occasion, to be celebrated with that same love of family that Roylene had felt since her childhood, which she passed on to her children and grandchildren. She was always the first mom to volunteer to be a "room mother," providing cupcakes, cookies, and the like, for classroom celebrations for both Craig and Sheri. Sheri remembers that upon reconnecting with her Ist and 2nd grade teachers, while on Spring Break during her junior year of college, that both of those ladies remembered Roylene well, and still used some of the recipes she had shared with them years earlier. And while Roylene loved to cook wonderful meals and take care of her family, she nurtured and looked after those whose names she sometimes didn't even know. When her children were asked by their teachers to bring something for a fun activity at school (such as a pumpkin to be carved for the class Halloween party), Roylene always sent an extra one for that unknown child in the class who may not have had the resources to bring one from home. Even though her kids sometimes got tired of toting the extra weight, a lesson was learned in the basic human kindness of inclusion for everyone, and in gratitude for what God had provided for them.

Roylene was the epitome of a good hostess. She not only was hospitable when the occasion called for it, but she would also actively seek out opportunities to show hospitality to family, friends, and even strangers. No one left Roylene's home without feeling thoroughly welcomed, well-fed, and loved.

Roylene's smile was a thing of beauty, not for its physical aspects, but because she meant it as a way to share happiness. Sheri recalls learning by example from her mother how to greet people in general with a smile and a kind word. Roylene never stood quietly in line at a store, but rather smiled at the children waiting as well, and spoke warmly to any adults around her.

While some women feel their age when becoming grandmothers, Roylene looked forward to it excitedly, and deeply relished the role. She took great delight in spending time with her granddaughters, reading to them, baking, doing crafts, and playing games. She could not have loved them more, nor been prouder of them.

Roylene was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Bob, her son, Craig, her parents, Roy Edgar Latch and Lois Thames Latch Switzer, and her three sisters, Frances Faye Latch Van Cleave, Betty Jean Latch, and Lois Marie Latch Harden. Roylene is survived by her daughter and husband, Sheri and Dennis Robinson, and her granddaughters, Elizabeth Day and Holly Robinson. Roylene is also survived by her stepson and wife, Robert E. Day and Kim Leidenroth-Day, step grandchildren, Bryan Day and Lindsey Day Medica, and daughter-in-law, Ona Beth Day.

While awards and honors are often included in a list such as this, the things at which Roylene most excelled were not those that usually garnered awards. She was a loving mother, a marvelous cook, a friend upon whom one could always depend, and a dynamic vocalist who freely shared her gift to the glory of God. While she may not have received official acclaim for her excellence in these matters here on earth, those treasures have been stored up in heaven for her dedication and service. And the heavenly choir, which is probably receiving direction from her husband, Bob, could not help but be enhanced with the addition of her lovely, ethereal voice.

A memorial service will be held 11:00 a.m. Saturday, August 10th, in the chapel of Fredericksburg Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to Hill Country SPCA, National Arbor Day Foundation or the charity of one's choice.