Martha Joy Harris

1938 - 2023

Martha Joy Harris was born in Corinth, KY on Oct. 3, 1938 and went home to be with the Lord on March 4, 2023 at the age of 84. She was the youngest daughter of the late Mildred Hutcherson Harris and the late O.C. Harris. Her grandmother, the late Fannie Kinman Hutcherson, helped raise her.
She was preceded in death by her sisters and brothers-in-law Melrose Jane Harris Hazlett (Homer), Bobbie Jean Harris, and Bettye Jo Harris Saylor (Roger). She is survived by her nephews J. O. Saylor (Suzanne) and Leo Saylor (Pam) of Crittenden, KY and a niece Dana Marie Hazlett of Lexington, KY. Also remaining are a host of great-nephews and nieces: Shawn Lewis Saylor (Dana) of Lexington, KY, Rebekah Sue Saylor of Florence, KY, Jordan Blake Saylor (DeAsia) of Crittenden, KY, Joseph Thomas Saylor (Sara) of Williamstown, KY, Janna Elizabeth Saylor O'Nan (Seth) of Crittenden, KY and Jill Nicole Saylor of Crittenden KY. She was also blessed with great-great-nephews and nieces, Clay Andrew O'Nan, Wren Dwayne Charles O'Nan, Vivian June Saylor, Delta Blake Saylor and Brooks Lewis Saylor. She had many fur children throughout the years but none survive her.
Martha Joy was a graduate of Grant County High School and received her Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees in Education from Georgetown College. She also took additional classes at Northern Kentucky University, University of Kentucky, and Purdue University. She was an accomplished vocalist and studied with the late Vernon Ishmael of Lexington, KY. Her teaching career spanned 35 years, where she taught 1st, 2nd and 3rd grades and Remedial Reading in the Grant County School System and Vocal Music grades K-12 in the Williamstown Independent School System for a total of 10 years. She taught Grade 2 students in the Rising Sun-Ohio County School Corporation for 25 years. She was an active teacher of Sunday School and Vacation Bible School in her churches (Corinth Christian Church and Rising Sun Church of Christ).
At the time of her passing, Martha was a member of the Corinth Christian Church, a Life Member of the National Education Association, National Retired Teachers Association, Kentucky Retired Teachers Association, Grant County Retired Teachers Association and was a Kentucky Colonel.
She enjoyed music, teaching, reading, photography, and sending cards for all occasions to family, friends, and shut-ins. She possessed a love for all animals, especially dogs, and was an active supporter and patron of several humane and animal rights organizations.
Visitation will be held at the Corinth Christian Church on Tuesday, March 7, 2023 between the hours of 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. Her funeral service will be held on March 8 beginning at 11 a.m. Martha will be interred at the I.O.O.F. Cemetery in Corinth with a graveside service.
In lieu of flowers, Martha had suggested memorial donations to:
*Corinth Christian Church, PO Box 26, Corinth, KY 41010
*Rising Sun Church of Christ, 430 Fifth Street, Rising Sun, IN 47040
*Grant County Animal Shelter, 218 Barnes Road, Williamstown, KY 41097.