LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) A Lexington Priest will cover the funeral costs for the family of Jason Smith, after he was shot and killed in Lexington on Sunday.
Father Jim Sichko, a papal missionary for the Catholic Church, came forward after seeing a story on lex18.com that detailed the family’s struggle to pay for Smith’s funeral.
Smith, 30, was shot and killed on Corral Street on Sunday, according to Lexington police. Aramis Murray, 27, has been arrested and charged with his murder, police said.
Smith’s family had posted a fundraiser to ask for donations, because they struggled to cover the cost of his funeral.
"This has been thrown in our lap all of a sudden and nobody was prepared," said Rachel Smith.
Although she and Jason Smith had been separated for a few years, they share two children, she said. She and his family were committed to laying him to rest in the right way.
She was shocked to hear that Father Jim would be covering all of the cost of the funeral.
"I’ll be taking care of all of that today and tomorrow and then you can put your husband to rest as properly he should be," Sichko said to Rachel Smith.
It’s a huge relief, she said, as the family goes through this incredibly difficult time.
"Thank you so much," she said to Sichko.
The wake/visitation will be Monday, April 30, at Simpson’s United Methodist Church in Versailles at 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. The funeral will be at 1 p.m.
