Martha Kate Foran

Martha Kate Bryan Foran was born on March 5, 1933 in Bristol, Tennessee. Her parents were Henderson Willis Bryan and Ethel Laura Hatcher Bryan. She had two older brothers (James R “J.R.” Bryan and Clarence Henderson “Bud” Bryan) and one older sister, Edna May Bryan Keesee. She dearly loved her family and all of her wonderful nieces and nephews. She spoke of all of them often.

When Martha was 17 years-old, she married Billie F Foran (18 years-old) on December 5, 1950 in Tennessee. Billie was a Private in the U.S. Army and serving in the Korean War. He returned to Bristol on a short leave to marry Martha. Billie returned to Japan on December 19, 1950. He did not talk about his time in service; however, he did mention how hard it was to leave his new bride. They enjoyed 65 years of marriage before Billie’s death October 28, 2015.

Martha and Billie had four daughters: Gail (1952), Jane (1956), Karen (1961), and Mitzi (1965). Martha and Billie were blessed with many grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was known as Momma/Mom/Mamaw/Grandma and Aunt Kate. Billie called her Katie.

Martha could have a conversation with anyone and was blessed with many lifetime friends.

Martha worked at Grey Hosiery Mill in Bristol. Later when the family relocated to Indianapolis, Indiana, she worked at Link Belt/FMC/Rexnord. After retiring, she worked in the Meyer Floral Department where she greatly enjoyed her creative/artistic opportunities. 

Martha was an artist who expressed herself through cake baking, drawing, coloring, painting, and sewing. As a student, she and her friend would paint/decorate the classroom windows for their teacher. Martha loved to bake cakes and once won a cake baking contest.

Over the years, she enjoyed collecting cookbooks, working puzzles, listening to country music, dancing, visiting amusement parks, and the beach. She loved the mountains and the beach.

She was very devoted to the word of God. She read and studied the Bible daily. I never saw her read a book that was not a Christian book or the Bible. As she aged and had limited abilities, she spent the day reading her Bible and coloring. It brought her so much joy when she received a new Christian-themed adult coloring book.

Martha was loved by many and will be greatly missed!