February 16, 1933 – October 20, 2025
Martha Mae Davidson of Zionsville left her earthly life on October 20, 2025.
Martha was born in Monticello, Ind., on February 16, 1933, to Caleb Adam Cauble and Inez Mabel Knight Cauble. She was the oldest of four siblings: Martha, Marvin, Marilyn, and Marjorie.
After graduating from Monticello High School, Martha traveled to Hawaii. This would be the first of many adventures for her.
Martha then moved to Indianapolis to begin work. There she was introduced to Gilbert Davidson. Friends arranged for Gil, who was selling kitchen knives, to visit Martha. They were married on November 26, 1956, in Monticello.
Martha and Gil moved to Indianapolis, Chicago, back to Indianapolis, Atlanta, and lastly, to Indianapolis. Martha helped Gilbert establish his first company, Avels, Inc., a power device distributor, and Davidson, Inc. Along the way they added other companies, including Hydroserve, and Flotec, a leading medical device developer and manufacturer.
Martha and Gilbert welcomed three children, Brian Russell, Bradley Ross, and Ellen Beth, in their early years in Indianapolis and Chicago. The family often packed into Gilbert’s airplane for vacations.
Martha and Gilbert also traveled the world with Young President’s Organization (YPO). They visited Egyptian pyramids; dined in the Palace of Versailles and the Diamondhead volcanic crater in Oahu; rode camels in Egypt; befriended Fairy Penguins in Australia; and explored beaches in Rio de Janeiro. They relished road trips too, a favorite being art shopping trips to Taos, N.M.
Martha was an accomplished seamstress and made beautiful dresses. She enjoyed quilting, cross-stitching, embroidery, and crewel work. Her workmanship was admirable. Martha was active in ALTA tennis while in Atlanta. Her team was known not for tennis skills, but for the post-match festivities. After Gilbert passed away in 2010 after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease, Martha continued to make new friends and reconnect with old friends. She was active in church life groups, book clubs, and chair yoga at Hoosier Village. The yoga group thoroughly enjoyed the post-workout visits at the coffee shop. Martha loved puzzles and crossword puzzles. She never missed an Indy 500 race or a Colts or Chiefs game.
Martha is survived by her sister, Marilyn (John) Crowel, of Monticello; children: Brian (Betsy) Davidson of Carmel, Bradley Davidson of Indianapolis, and Ellen Domnick (Darrel) of Stillwater, Okla.; grandsons, Benjamin (Monica) Davidson of Carmel and Cameron Domnick of Stillwater, Okla.; two great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and great-nephews.
Martha was preceded in death by her parents; husband of 51 years, Gilbert; brother, Marvin; and sister, Marjorie (Jim) Quackenbush.
A service to celebrate Martha’s life will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, November 19, 2025, in the Chapel at Hoosier Village. A reception at the Chapel’s Great Hall will follow the service.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations or gifts be made to The Schwarz Cancer Center at IU Hospital, or Alzheimer’s Association.
The family wants to thank IU Hospice and Hoosier Village health center for their loving care and concern for Martha during her illness.