Martha Amelia Kays - Obituary

(1866 - 1926)
(Memphis, MO Reveille; Jan 6, 1927)

Mrs. Martha Kays Craig was born in Memphis, Missouri, August 25, 1866, and died at her home in Joplin, Missouri, December 29, 1826.

In her early life she united with the Congregational Church with which she was identified until the dissolution of the local congregation when she united with the Methodist Church of Memphis, continuing this relationship until her removal to Joplin, Missouri, in 1905, when she re-united with the Congregational Church. For 21 years she was organist in this church, leaving it only four years ago to become a charter member in the Community Church of Joplin in which she was organist up to the time of her death, playing in her last service only ten days before she was called home.

Her religious conviction found voice not only in her daily influence in her home circle and among her friends and neighbors but in her unusual musical gifts in church music. For over fifty years she served as organist of the several churches with which she was connected and through this service did much to add to the public praise of the God whom she served. Her later years were filled with sickness which was borne with Christian resignation while she "carried on" in all of her service till just a few days before the end, and she gave up the fight and slipped away to join the Eternal Choir.

Mrs. Craig is survived by her husband, C. A. Craig of Joplin, Missouri, to whom she was married on May 15, 1887, and one daughter, Mrs. H. J. Hendricks of Sious City, Nebraska, two sons, Dana K. and Norman Craig of Joplin, Missouri, two brothers, three sisters, and two grandchildren. One daughter, Mary A. died in infancy.