Martha Lee Ray Wilson, 87, of Wickliffe, KY, died Sunday, October 12, 2014, at her home, surrounded by loved ones.
The younger of two children, Martha was born to Ralph Howard Ray and Velsia Wilson Ray on February 26, 1927 in Knox County, Indiana. On January 25, 1947, she married her Jim, James A. Wilson. The couple came to Kentucky in 1950 and lived in the river bottoms on the corn and soybean farm they rented from Jim’s father. In 1954 they purchased the Trimble home and moved to Wickliffe. Their farming operation expanded in 1958 when the couple purchased two hill farms northwest of Barlow. In 1972, they started a farm equipment business on their farm, which was later moved to the vacated Barlow elementary school. Eventually, the couple purchased a large farm in Mississippi and made frequent trips there to keep updated on the tenant’s crops. Regardless of the business, Martha and Jim were partners and co-workers. Martha well utilized her Vincennes Business College degree as bookkeeper for all their ventures. At the age of 83, she retired from working every day at their farm equipment business.
Martha’s life has always been faith centered. After coming to Kentucky, she was a member of the Wickliffe United Methodist Church and then the Barlow United Methodist Church. She was church organist for 50+ years and served in many other capacities, including church treasurer, conference delegate, and chairperson of the board.
As the cornerstone of her family, Martha’s devotion was never-ending. She supported her husband in all his endeavors at city, county and regional levels. She also encouraged her children’s varied interests, whether this required taking them to Memphis for a dance competition, hauling horses in the back of a pick-up truck to a regional show or attending any other worthwhile experience.
Besides her family, music was Martha’s primary passion. From an early age, she was an accomplished pianist, sharing her talent with family and the community. As she grew, she added numerous instruments to her repertoire: organ, pipe organ, marimba, accordion, and bells.
Community service took varied forms for Martha. She worked with the Wickliffe PTA, volunteered for and served as county chair for the American Heart Association, and was a 4-H community leader. Additionally, Martha was a member and officer of the Wickliffe Woman’s Club, a benefactor of the arts, and a staunch supporter of the Democratic Party.
Martha delighted in painting and also entertaining friends and family with her culinary and musical talents. She and Jim took great pride in raising roses together and enjoyed bird watching and feeding. One of their greatest loves was traveling the world, whether this was the two of them, with a tour group or with family. Her latest travel adventure, this past June, was a National Geographic expedition to the Arctic Ocean with her son, Steve and her great-grandchildren, Avery and Bradley. This fulfilled her life-long dream of seeing polar bears in their natural habitat.
Martha is survived by three children: Steve Wilson and wife, Laura Lee Brown, of Louisville; Melanie Wilson Kelley and husband, Steve, of Bardwell; Brett Wilson and wife, Sharon, of Wickliffe; four grandchildren: Heather McManus and husband, Shane, of Wickliffe; J.B. Wilson and wife, Leslie Lyons, of Louisville; Katie Kramer and husband, John, of Chicago; Kristopher Kelley of Louisville; five great-grandchildren: Avery, Bradley, and Mae Wilson; Jonnah and Hannah McManus; two step-great-grandchildren: Evelyn Gallagher and Georgiana Kriegsmann; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Her husband, her parents, as well as one brother and sister-in-law, Cecil and Margie Ray, of Omak, WA, preceded her in death.
The funeral service will be at 2:00 P.M. on Saturday, October 18, 2014 at Barlow United Methodist Church with Rev. David Garrett officiating. Interment will follow at Wickliffe City Cemetery.
Friends may call after 5:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. Friday at Milner & Orr Funeral Home of Wickliffe and after 10:00 A.M. Saturday at the church prior to the service.
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-1942; or Barlow United Methodist Church, Barlow, KY 42024.
You may leave a message, light a candle, or share a song tribute for the family at www.milnerandorr.com
