Kentucky honors former Governor Martha Layne Collins at funeral in Frankfort

FRANKFORT, KY. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – Friends, family, and state leaders gathered in Frankfort Sunday to honor former Governor Martha Layne Collins, who passed away last Saturday at the age of 88.

Collins, a teacher and lifelong Democrat, made history as Kentucky’s first and only woman elected governor, serving as the state’s 56th governor from 1983 to 1987.

Her tenure is best remembered for her focus on education reform and for bringing Toyota Manufacturing to Georgetown — a move that continues to shape Kentucky’s economy decades later.

According to her obituary, Collins lay in state at the Old State Capitol rotunda from noon to 4 p.m. for public visitation. Her funeral service followed at 4:30 p.m.