Martha Kays

Martha Jean Kays, 83, of Oakland City, IN passed away Friday, December 5, 2025 at Good Samaritan Home in Oakland City. She was born January 15, 1942 in Otwell, IN to Verner Gray and Susan (Powell) Gray. Martha graduated from Otwell High School in 1960. She married the love of her life, Charles Thomas Kays Jr., October 24, 1970 and was blessed with 41 years before his passing January 14, 2011. Martha worked a several manufacturing jobs in her younger years including RCA, Kimball, Potter and Brumfield, and Whirlpool. She also held a cook position with Good Samaritan Nursing Home. Martha was a proud farm wife. She enjoyed tending to the garden, caring for her dogs, and barn cats. Martha was a member of Forsythe United Methodist Church in Oakland city. She loved listening to music, attending church, and exploring genealogy. Martha will truly be missed.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Thomas Kays Jr.; siblings, James “Jim” Gray, Geraldine (Wayne) Myers, and Mary Jane (Kenneth) Ulmet; and siblings-in-law, Martha Gray, Rose Gray, and Frederick Hanebutt.

Martha is survived by her son Paul (Janice) Kays; grandchildren, Grace Kays and William Kays; siblings, William Gray, Robert Gray, John (Mary) Gray, and Kathleen Hanebutt; sister-in-law, Mary Gray; and numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.

A funeral service will be held at 1 PM Wednesday, December 10, 2025 at Corn-Colvin Funeral Home in Oakland City, IN with Clark Gray officiating and burial to follow at Forsythe Cemetery. Visitation will be held 11 AM until service time Wednesday at the funeral home.

Memorial donations may be made to Pike Animal Welfare Society (Paws) animal shelter in Petersburg, IN. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.

Online condolences can be given at www.CornColvinFuneralHome.com where you can share a memory of Martha. Colvin Funeral Home is honored to serve her family.

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