Martha Ann Kidwell, 90, of Banta, Ind., went home to be with her Saviour Jesus Christ on Christmas Day at Compass Park in Franklin, Ind. She passed peacefully on to Heaven surrounded by her loving family.

Martha was born on February 27, 1935 in Harrogate, Tenn., to parents Kyle and Grace (Bolton) Hatfield and was the oldest of six children. She married L. Dean Kidwell on December 19, 1959, and they enjoyed 43 very happy years together before he preceded her in death on December 19, 2002.

She is survived by her daughter, Kathy Ann (Jon) Borowitz of Shelbyville; two sons, Kevin Dean (Marie) Kidwell and Keith Alan (Susan) Kidwell, both of Banta; six grandchildren, Bryan (Holly) Borowitz, Justin Borowitz, Kaitlyn Borowitz, Lindsey Kidwell, Robert Kidwell, and Grace (Ben) Adams; two sisters, Frances Carpenter of Morristown, Tenn., and Sally (Jack) Monroe of North Vernon, Ind., along with several beloved nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

In addition to her parents and husband, Martha was preceded in death by her brothers, William (Ann) Hatfield and Kyle (Yvonne) Hatfield; sister Helen (John) Houston; brothers-in-law Pierce Carpenter, Jr., Robert N. Kidwell, Harry Kidwell, and David Kidwell; and sister-in-law Iris (D.E.) Smith.

Martha graduated a year early from Eden High School in 1952 and went on to attend Indiana University. She worked in the payroll department at IBM in Indianapolis before becoming a stay-at-home mother after the birth of her first child. When her children were grown, she enjoyed working at the Waverly Market and then later at JCPenney's. Once her first grandchild was born in 1993, she retired and became a full-time Mimi. She loved her family dearly. Some of her greatest joys in life were being a wife, mother and grandmother.

She loved to cook, make floral arrangements, eat ice cream (especially butter pecan), play games and watch TV shows with family. Martha also loved to read her Bible, attend church and spend time in prayer. She was a prayer warrior and had a heart for lost souls. She co-wrote two Gospel tracts and always tried to share the Gospel with others. She attended Martinsville Baptist Tabernacle and cherished her pastor and church family.

Pastor David Zempel will conduct a service at Swartz Family Community Mortuary and Memorial Center, 300 South U.S. 31 (Morton Street) in Franklin, Ind., on Saturday, January 3, 2026 at 2:30 p.m. and will be live-streamed at www.swartzmortuary.com/obituary/marthakidwell. Friends may call Saturday, January 3, 2026 from 12:30 p.m. until the 2:30 p.m. service. Following the service, burial will be at Odd Fellows Cemetery in Waverly, Ind.

Her family would like to thank all of her doctors and healthcare workers who lovingly cared for Martha during the last years of her life.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Martinsville Baptist Tabernacle or Tabernacle Christian School, 2189 Burton Lane, Martinsville, IN 46151.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.swartzmortuary.com.  Information 317-738-0202.