Iona Smith

Iona Smith, 91, of Lloyd Kentucky went home to be with the Lord, Sunday morning, January 4th 2026, with her beloved daughter and son in law by her side. Iona was born May 12, 1934 on Big Leatherwood in Greenup County. In the same hollow where she grew up, she met the love of her life, MJ, her husband of 68 years. Except for their time apart while he was serving his country there was hardly a day they weren’t by each other’s side for nearly seventy years. At the end of MJ’s military service, the two of them grew and built a life together in Lloyd, Ky, where they raised their daughter Elaine. Though Iona never held a public job she spent her days maintaining a home and caring for her daughter and eventually her grandson. She often cooked three meals a day in a simple kitchen as she sang hymns. MJ always had clean clothes to wear to work and a clean house to come home to. Iona led a life built on love and biblical principles, though the world deemed it old fashioned. When he wasn’t at work, you could always find her at the side of her husband either at work or play. They spent many hours in the garden, tobacco and hay fields together. They also loved to camp and take trips with family and friends. For most of her life, on Sunday mornings, you could find her, with him, at church. She loved the Lord and never stopped praising Him through all of life's trials. Though she longed to be reunited with her best friend, her husband MJ, she wanted more to go home to be in the presence of her Heavenly father. 

 Iona was preceded in death by her husband, Millard Jefferson Smith, in 2021; five brothers, Leonard Horsley, Wayne Horsley, Estill Horsley, Vernon Horsley, and Monroe Horsley; and three sisters, Bessie McGlone, Roberta Horsley, and her best shopping buddy Garnet Howard.

She is survived by her daughter Elaine and son in law Cavel Bush of Hopewell, Kentucky; one grandson Britt Bush and his wife Caren; great granddaughters Ella Joy and Audrey Jane Bush; and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends that will miss her greatly.

Funeral service will be conducted at 1:00 pm on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, at Reed Funeral home by her Grandson Britt Bush. Burial will be in Brick Union Cemetery. Visitation will be from 11:00 am until service time. In lieu of flowers Iona asked that anyone that loved and cared for her to please use the money you would spend on flowers to provide a meal to a child. No matter if it is family or a stranger, provide a child a good meal and smile on her behalf. The family would like to thank Mag Kilburn for the care that she provided for Iona for the past four years. Iona thought the world of her “sister” Mag. Condolences may be made at www.rlrfuneralhome.com. Reed Funeral Home in Greenup is in charge of arrangements.

Iona Smith, 91, of Lloyd Kentucky went home to be with the Lord, Sunday morning, January 4th 2026, with her beloved daughter and son in law by her side. Iona was born May 12, 1934 on Big Leatherwood in Greenup County. In the same hollow where she grew up, she met the love of her life, MJ, her husband of 68 years. Except for their time apart while he was serving his country there was hardly a day they weren’t by each other’s side for nearly seventy years. At the end of MJ’s military service, the two of them grew and built a life together in Lloyd, Ky, where they raised their daughter Elaine. Though Iona never held a public job she spent her days maintaining a home and caring for her daughter and eventually her grandson. She often cooked three meals a day in a simple kitchen as she sang hymns. MJ always had clean clothes to wear to work and a clean house to come home to. Iona led a life built on love and biblical principles, though the world deemed it old fashioned. When he wasn’t at work, you could always find her at the side of her husband either at work or play. They spent many hours in the garden, tobacco and hay fields together. They also loved to camp and take trips with family and friends. For most of her life, on Sunday mornings, you could find her, with him, at church. She loved the Lord and never stopped praising Him through all of life's trials. Though she longed to be reunited with her best friend, her husband MJ, she wanted more to go home to be in the presence of her Heavenly father. 

 Iona was preceded in death by her husband, Millard Jefferson Smith, in 2021; five brothers, Leonard Horsley, Wayne Horsley, Estill Horsley, Vernon Horsley, and Monroe Horsley; and three sisters, Bessie McGlone, Roberta Horsley, and her best shopping buddy Garnet Howard.

She is survived by her daughter Elaine and son in law Cavel Bush of Hopewell, Kentucky; one grandson Britt Bush and his wife Caren; great granddaughters Ella Joy and Audrey Jane Bush; and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends that will miss her greatly.

Funeral service will be conducted at 1:00 pm on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, at Reed Funeral home by her Grandson Britt Bush. Burial will be in Brick Union Cemetery. Visitation will be from 11:00 am until service time. In lieu of flowers Iona asked that anyone that loved and cared for her to please use the money you would spend on flowers to provide a meal to a child. No matter if it is family or a stranger, provide a child a good meal and smile on her behalf. The family would like to thank Mag Kilburn for the care that she provided for Iona for the past four years. Iona thought the world of her “sister” Mag. Condolences may be made at www.rlrfuneralhome.com. Reed Funeral Home in Greenup is in charge of arrangements.