Nationwide — Neather Kelly, a 93-year-old African American woman from Orangeburg County, South Carolina, was found dead in the freezing cold just a block from her home after leaving during a rainy night. Her abandoned car had been spotted in a ditch, sparking a frantic search that ended tragically.
Kelly had lived in her small town her entire life. Widowed and living alone, she remained close to her large extended family, who checked on her daily while respecting her independence. Despite warnings about the cold, she left home Sunday night for reasons unknown.
Her niece, Brenda Austin, 59, said Kelly was developing dementia and could get confused at times. “People had talked to her, told her to stay in the house,” Austin told People. She added that they “didn’t want to take her independence away by taking her car.” The 2005 Ford Escape was later found abandoned in a rain-filled ditch around 1 a.m. Monday.
Authorities and neighbors launched a search immediately, battling near-freezing temperatures and heavy rain. Security cameras captured Kelly driving past homes late Sunday evening, but it was unclear where she went after leaving the car.
Tragically, Kelly’s body was discovered curled up near a power pole, just steps from her home. She was across from a church she visited in earlier years, a common behavior for those with dementia.
The Orangeburg County Sheriff’s Office confirmed her death at 9:15 a.m. Monday. Sheriff Leroy Ravenell expressed sorrow and asked the community to keep the family in their thoughts. Relatives are now gathering at Kelly’s home, remembering her spirited personality, her love of fashion, and her devotion to family and community despite enduring personal losses.
Kelly is survived by a large extended family who continue to share memories. Even at 93, she stayed active, embraced life with energy, and loved to dress with sparkle, leaving a lasting impression on everyone who knew her.