Kristy Lee Smith: " My 14-yearold non-verbal autistic son. He ' s taught me how to be compassionate, understanding, how to advocate, how to see the world differently. He makes me a better person."
Susie Smith: " Jeff Smith. Married him 43 yrs ago. He’ s the calm to my craziness. I love this man like no other. We made 3 beautiful daughters and they gave me 4 beautiful granddaughters and soon to be a great grandson. Jeff has my heart at first met."
Sydney Mounce: " Jesus, my Lord and Savior. And then My husband Corey Mounce. He always shows me the positive even when I can’ t see it."
Gay Mayfield: " My granddaughter. She makes everything so simple."
Mia Beth Gregory: " No brainer. My Lord Jesus, savior of my heart and life."
Eliyahu Hey: " My husband. God gave him to the girls and I so we could know what real love is."
Roxie Gossett: " My children. A daughter and son. They have taught me not only unconditional love but patience, forgiveness and strength. My daughter is at 43 now, a mother of 2. I have watched in amazement and can only pray that I did half the job she is doing as a mom. She struggled to have children. She adopted my first granddaughter at birth, then later gave birth to my grandson. The true meaning of unconditional love. My son, now 34, has endured more than I have in my entire life. He has battled Glioma brain cancer. His faith in God has... grown deeper than anyone I have ever met in my lifetime of 62 years;( it) is astonishing. They both are amazing adults and my proudest accomplishment of my life. There is no love like the love of a child and it comes free. Whether it’ s your child or someone else’ s. Love is given freely if we only accept it and can be one of the biggest lifechanging experiences of your heart."
De Gower: " My daughters."
Joey Godsey: " I ' m going to say my son. He has done everything right and I wish I would have been like him when I was younger. He is a great father, good with his finances, and will help anyone that will help themselves. He is my hero!"
February 2026 SEKY- Southeast Kentucky Life • 29