Martha May Rayman

Martha May Rayman, 89, of One park Place, 2701 Frederica Street, Owensboro, KY, passed away on Thursday, February 16, 2012, at her apartment surrounded by her children and family. Martha was born on July 21, 1922 to her parents the late Mary Ethel Feldpausch and Charles William "Babe" May. Martha met the love of her life, James Richard "J.R." Rayman and were married on April 22, 1939. JR preceded her in death after 50 years of marriage in 1989. Also, along the way, in the process of building a family and proceeding through their journey of life, as destiny would have it, God called home their little angel, daughter Barbara "Bobbie" Jean, in 1946. Martha was also preceded, later on, in death by her brothers James Robert May and Charles Lee DeLacey. Martha and her children lived here in Owensboro while J.R. ("Daddy") was serving in the Army during World War II. Then when he returned from overseas, he returned to work as a master plumber and pipe fitter. Each time that his construction job would finish and move on to another city, or state, to begin a new site, Martha would pack up their travel trailer, load the children in the car and they'd all be off on a new adventure. In the end of the out of state jobs the family returned to Owensboro, Martha took out a ledger that she had kept since they were married. She told the family that she and dad had traveled to every state in the continental U.S., except for Alaska and Hawaii, either visiting relatives and friends, working different jobs or just going on vacations. She also went to Canada and even Nova Scotia! During Martha's lifetime, traveling was almost #1 on the list and she would take their faithful dog "Patches" nearly everywhere with them. Patches was not just a dog, but a beloved part of her family. Martha also loved to go camping with their many friends, listening to country music, playing cards, dancing at the VFW and the Moose and eating out at various restaurants. One of her favorite times was floating down the Ohio River from the Owensboro Bridge on the houseboat with their (dearly departed) best friends, Lucille and John Tong, friends and family, down to the old Boonville Boat Club. They would anchor there at the Boat Club or over at the island across from the boat ramps so all the children could swim or play while the "grownups" would grill food and talk or sing through the late summer nights. Martha also loved participating in the many events that the Elizabeth Mundy Senior Citizen Center had going on, but going on some of their group trips was probably the best thing that she liked. Later on in her "young life", she went on one of her most memorable trips at the age of 75, she took a Holland American Cruise with one of her daughters, a granddaughter and a great granddaughter. They visited Mexico, Jamaica and the Grand Cayman Islands, it was a great trip for all. Traveling really gave Martha a lot of joy, as did the shopping adventures that occurred with each trip. Martha worked at several jobs during her lifetime, but she retired from the one that she loved best, as the secretary-treasurer of May Electric Company of Owensboro. She was also a lifetime member at St. Stephen Catholic Church, but as her health and age started to slow her down a bit, she enjoyed attending Immaculate Catholic Church which was near her home. Martha is survived by her daughters Billie Sion Morrow and her husband Larry Morrow of Boonville, IN and Jacqueline "Jackie" Fleming and her husband, Glenn Fleming of Bentonville, Arkansas and son John Richard "Dickie" Rayman and his wife, Nancy Rayman. There are 6 grandchildren: James "Jimmy" Morrow, Amber Lea Morrow, Glenda Trichelle Fleming Willis, Mistie Michelle Fleming, Robbie Lane Brown, and Darrell Ray Brown. The great grandchildren include: Maysa Glynne Willis, Auburne Fawn Morrow, Christie Hemming Miller, Tabitha Hemmings, Samantha Rae Brown and Robbie Nick Brown. The great-great grandchildren are little Memphis James Miller and his baby sister Ashlynn Renee Miller. Martha is also survived by her brothers, John Delmar "Johnny" DeLacey, William Joseph "Billy Joe" DeLacey and Guy Edward "Cookie" DeLacey. Her sister-in-laws consist of Henrietta May, Margo DeLacey and Sandie DeLacey. She also has many nieces and nephews. The family would like to express their gratitude to everyone at One Park Place for their thoughtfulness and love throughout our mothers stay there. Mom truly loved all of you and especially her "sweet pea" girls. We would also like to thank the wonderful people at Hospice of Western Kentucky. Without your help and kindness we would surely have been lost these last two week of moms life. To all of you above, you'll never be forgotten and we appreciate you all more than any words can say. Visitation will be from 2:00pm to 8:00pm Sunday at Haley-McGinnis & Owensboro Funeral Home and from 8:00am to 9:30am Monday at the funeral home. At 7:00pm, Sunday, a special memoriam will be held by Reverend Scott Ford, her nephew, of Maceo Baptist Church. We will then celebrate Martha's life with a funeral mass to be held at Immaculate Catholic Church on Monday, February 20, 2012, at 10:00am. Father Tony Jones and Father John Vaughan will officiate, with Brother John Tio (Dusty DeLacey) assisting. Special song selections will be by Rodney May her nephew and Marti May her niece. Pallbearers include: Glenn Fleming, Jim Morrow, Kenny Willis, Robbie Brown, Rodney May and Billy Vince May. Honorary Pallbearers: John Rayman and Darrell Brown. Expressions of sympathy may take the form of donations to Hospice of Western Kentucky, 3419 Wathens Crossing, Owensboro, KY 42301. You may share your memories or condolences with Martha's family at www.haleymcginnis.com.