Donna Smith

Donna Kay Smith, 76, Harlan, KY, passed away Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016 at the Harlan Health & Rehabilitation Center.  She was preceded in death by her loving parents, Harry W. Smith and LaVonne Bell Smith.

Miss Smith is survived by 2 sisters:  Charlotte (Gervis) Showalter, Georgetown, KY and Marybelle (Jim) Morgan, Harlan along with a dear Aunt, Mary Catherine Surgener, Harlan.  She was a loving Aunt to her 6 nieces & nephews: Ginger (Ed) Saker, David (Lori) Showalter, Mark (Crystal) Showalter, Sean (Mindi) Kirklin, Meredith (Mat) Slechter, Margaret Morgan and 13 great nieces & nephews.  Miss Smith was deeply blessed with a special friend and caregiver, Beverly White, and the wonderful staff of Harlan Health & Rehabilitation Center along with her life-long Kindergarten friends.

Miss Smith was a graduate of Harlan High School, Transylvania University and earned her Masters degree from Duke University.  She was executive assistant to the late Ky. Governor Wendell Ford, and then moved to Washington D.C. where she lived for 18 years.  While there she served on the National Democratic Committee and was an executive liaison for KY Senator Wendell Ford.  Upon retirement she resided in Sarasota, Fla. before returning to KY to live in Georgetown then Harlan.  She was a member of the Harlan Christian Church.

A graveside service will be at 2 pm, Wednesday (March 2) at Resthaven Cemetery outdoor Chapel conducted by Rev. Charles Morris and Sean Kirklin then “A Celebration of Life” reception from 3 pm – 4 pm in the service center of Harlan Christian Church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Harlan Independent Schools Education Foundation, PO Box 1619, Harlan, KY 40831, Harlan Health & Rehabilitation Center Emergency Fund, 200 Medical Center Drive, Harlan, KY 40831 or Bluegrass Alzheimer Association, 465 East  High Street # 100, Lexington, KY. 40507.

Anderson-Laws & Jones Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Smith Family.