Glenna Ison, who dedicated her career to education, passes at 72

Glenna Kay Walker Ison, formerly of Mt. Sterling, who devoted her career to education, died April 28 at Good Samaritan Hospital in Lexington. She was 72.

Ison most recently lived in Nicholasville.

Ison spent the first part of her career at Montgomery County Schools, where she was a special education teacher at the middle school.  Ison served with Montgomery County Schools from 1976 through 1997, according to the superintendent’s office.

She also held many other positions in the Kentucky education system, including teacher in Fayette County Schools, assistant principal in Fayette County and a professor at Morehead State University.

Jimmy Robinson, a former middle school teacher and principal, told the Advocate he has fond memories of Ison from her years at the middle school.

Ison worked with Robinson’s wife, Debbie, who served in special education.

They all started out near the same time and Robinson said she helped the Robinsons deal with some of the challenges that came with being new teachers together.

“We were friends as fellow educators with children,” he said.

Robinson said it took a unique skill set working in special education.

“It does take a special person to do that and she did a great job,” Robinson said.

Her obituary added, “She loved spoiling her grandchildren, cherished time spent with her college sorority sisters and was an avid quilter.”

Ison was a member of First Baptist Church in Mt. Sterling.

She is survived her daughter, Sara Ison (James Stamm) of Lexington; her son, Joshua (Mackenzie) Ison of Greenup; two grandchildren, Reed Noel Ison and Jack Allen Ison; four sisters, Helen Stevens of Olive Hill; Faye Barber of Lexington, Dorothy (Charlie) Callahan of Lexington, Noreen (Mike) Flannery of Olive Hill; sister-in-law, Debbie Walker of Olive Hill; one brother, Clatis (Shelia) Walker Jr., of Gilbertsville; and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Floyd Jackson Ison; two sisters, Susie Cox and Frances Johnson; and two brothers, Keith Walker and Neely King.

Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Thursday, May 7, at First Baptist Church, 925 Woodford Drive. Visitation will be from noon until time of service.

Burial to follow at Machpelah Cemetery.

Services entrusted to the care of Herald and Stewart Home for Funerals.