Martha Rose Fox

Martha Rose Fox, age 94, died peacefully in her sleep on Monday, August 19, 2024 in Anderson, Indiana. Born on September 8, 1929 in Tipton to Gilbert and Ruth (Day) Goodnight, Martha was the oldest daughter and third of the eventual ten children.  

She graduated from Tipton High School in 1947 and began work at Delco Radio, marrying James “Jim” Fox on July 24, 1950 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Tipton. The couple moved to Anderson, Indiana and Martha worked at Delco Remy for 31 years. Together they raised two sons, Richard and Thomas and were married for 66 years until Jim’s death in 2016. 

Martha enjoyed playing card games and loved teaching her grandchildren to play with her. She would also cook for them and spend time as a family at their cottage on Lake Shafer during the summers spent in Monticello. Boating and skiing, along with trips to Indiana Beach and Ft. Myers Beach, are among their favorite memories. Her love of card games also extended to playing penny slots at casinos.  

Martha never met a sweet she did not like and she often made a beeline for the dessert table at the many family holiday and birthday celebrations. As an avid basketball and Colts football fan and dog lover, “Grandma Fox” enjoyed the simpler things in life, including spending winters in Cape Coral, Florida after her retirement. Martha was a faith-filled woman and a member of her local Catholic churches for over 75 years of her life. She worked hard and saved her money carefully, sometimes hiding it in interesting places, causing her family lots of laughter when it was discovered. 

Martha is survived by her son, Dr. Thomas Fox (Sandra), Columbus, Indiana, daughter-in-law, Debbie Fox, New Palestine, Indiana; four grandchildren, Brooke Anderson, Westfield, Jason Fox (Laura), New Palestine, Shawn Fox (Kate), Union, Kentucky, and Lindsey Hahn (Zach), Greenwood; eight great-grandchildren, Beau Braun, Tommy Braun, Jaxon Fox, Nora Fox, Fallon Fox, Parker Fox, Kamden Hahn and Riley Hahn. 

Also surviving are sisters Sonja Kay Land and JoAnn Bryan and sister-in-law Cindy Goodnight. Martha was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Jim, her son, Rick and seven siblings Lester Gene, Gilbert Jr., Frieda West, Patty Rouse, Kenny, Otis and Jerry. 

Graveside services for Martha will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 28 at St. John’s Cemetery in Tipton with Father Christian DeCarlo presiding. Young-Nichols Funeral Home is assisting the Fox family with Martha’s arrangements. 

Contributions in Martha’s memory may be made to St. Ambrose Church, 2801 Lincoln Street, Anderson, Indiana, 46016. 

The family would like to thank Primrose Memory Care and Community Hospice for their loving care and dedication to Martha.