Marita Ann (Trayner) Cain

Marita Ann Trayner Cain, 89, of West Liberty, Kentucky, passed from this life on November 17, 2021. Born February 23, 1932 to Dorothy Keeling Trayner and Herbert Trayner. Marita was preceded in death by her parents Dorothy Keeling Trayner and Herbert Trayner, and grandparents, Ora Bell Pinkston Keeling, Ivan Keeling, George Bibb Trayner and Eva Willard Trayner. Marita is survived by her husband of 68 years, Charles Eugene “Gene” Cain, of West Liberty, Kentucky; their son Charles D. (Staci) Cain; her grandaughter Allyson Elizabeth Cain; and her grandson Charles J. “C.J.” (Alex) Cain, all of Lexington, Kentucky. She is also survived by her beloved dog Willie.

Marita lived most of her life in West Liberty. She graduated from Morgan County High School in 1950 and Morehead State University with a degree in Commerce in 1954. Marita and Gene were married August 23, 1953, upon return from his service in the Korean War.

Marita began her career teaching at the Upper Tygart School in Carter County. She also worked in the law office of Major Gardner in West Liberty. Marita spent her four-decade career teaching typing, shorthand and office skills at Morgan County High School. In 1976, she began the Model Office program where she taught and mentored skills that her students used to gain and maintain employment. During her years at Morgan County, she was the yearbook and senior class sponsor. Marita loved and always enjoyed hearing from her former students.

Marita’s family settled in West Liberty when her grandfather, George Bibb Trayner became the Pastor of the West Liberty United Methodist Church – of which Marita was a lifelong member. A devout Christian, it brought Marita great joy and pride to watch the church that brought her family to West Liberty flourish. In her later years, she greatly enjoyed services and conversations with her pastor, Jamie Brunk.

Marita enjoyed many hobbies and interests that brought her joy and friendship through the years. She was a Kentucky Wildcats fan, and enjoyed watching games of all kinds. Marita loved the game of golf. She and Gene were charter members of the Pleasant Valley Country Club, where she would later teach C.J. the game. She loved playing golf with her dear friend Helen Wells and they would often travel and play in tournaments around the state. Marita and Gene continued to visit “Pleasant Valley” long after they could no longer play, as it was one of her favorite places on earth. She was always happy to tell you about her hole in one on #3.

Marita also became known as an award-winning artist, and enjoyed displaying her craft at the Sorghum Festival. She enjoyed learning skills from Wendell Sherman, Helen Price Stacy and Chris Barker. Marita had an incredible imagination and could see many things that would seem mundane and go unnoticed by most. She was very proud of her granddaughter, Allyson, in earning a degree in Fine Art at the University of Kentucky.

Like her husband Gene, Marita loved the outdoors. They loved traveling the backroads and fishing for bluegill in farm ponds. She was adamant about not using a bobber. They took many fishing trips to Norris Lake in Lafollette, TN. These trips inspired many funny stories from fish hook mishaps to close encounters with bears.

Marita loved to travel. A cross-country road trip with Morris L. and Francis Peyton, going to St. John with Joe and Pauletta Wells and friends and annual family trips to Myrtle Beach with many friends of the community were certainly highlights in her life. Marita was an outstanding homemaker, incredible cook and gardener. No one in this world loved greasy beans, corn on the cob, homegrown tomatoes, cornbread and a big ol’ slice of onion like Marita.

Marita leaves behind many friends, former students and loved ones who will miss her, but also leaves the legacy of an accomplished woman who lived a good life, and spread kindness and love to all who knew her. 

A memorial service will be held on Sunday, November 21, 2021 at 2:00 at the West Liberty United Methodist Church. Requested in lieu of flowers, donations to West Liberty United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 295, West Liberty, KY 41472 or Bluegrass Care Navigators, 57 Dennis Sandlin MD Cove, Hazard, KY 41701.

Herald & Stewart & Halsey Funeral Home, West Liberty, KY

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