TRIADELPHIA, WV — Community Mourns as 83-Year-Old Sandra Kay Parsons Confirmed Deceased Following Ohio County Flooding
June 20, 2025 — The heartbreaking search for missing Triadelphia resident Sandra Kay Parsons came to a sorrowful end on Wednesday, as Ohio County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) officials confirmed the 83-year-old was found deceased in the aftermath of the devastating floods that tore through the region earlier this week.
Parsons, who had been the subject of an intensive multi-day search effort, was the ninth confirmed fatality related to the flooding. Her discovery follows the earlier identification of 43-year-old Jesse Pearson, also of Triadelphia, whose death had already shaken the tight-knit West Virginia town. Together, their passing marks a somber chapter in one of the most destructive natural disasters to strike Ohio County in recent memory.
A Painful End to a Hopeful Search
According to a statement released by the Ohio County EMA, Sandra Parsons’ body was located in a low-lying, heavily flooded area not far from her home. She had been missing since floodwaters rose rapidly on Monday evening, overwhelming neighborhoods and leaving many residents with little time to seek shelter or escape.
Search and rescue crews, aided by local law enforcement, National Guard teams, canine units, and volunteers, combed through debris, back roads, and waterways for days hoping for a miracle. Tragically, that miracle never came.
“This is the outcome we prayed we wouldn’t have to face,” said an emotional Ohio County official at a press conference Thursday morning. “Sandra was a beloved member of this community. Our hearts are shattered, and we are grieving alongside her family.”
Remembering Sandra Kay Parsons
Sandra Parsons was far more than a name on a missing persons report. She was a fixture in the Triadelphia community, known for her gentle spirit, strong faith, and unwavering kindness. A retired schoolteacher, Sandra spent decades shaping young minds and offering mentorship to generations of families in the area.
“She had that soft voice you never forgot and a heart that always made room for others,” said one of her former students. “She treated everyone with grace, even on their worst days. She was the kind of person who sent you birthday cards every year, even if you hadn’t seen her in a decade.”
Sandra was also active in her local church, participating in community meals, Bible studies, and service efforts aimed at supporting the elderly and disadvantaged. Friends recall her love for gardening, classic literature, and her unwavering pride in her grandchildren.
Community in Mourning
The confirmation of Sandra’s death has sent fresh waves of grief through Triadelphia, where the wounds of the flood are still raw. Her loss adds to the growing list of lives claimed by the disaster—each name a reminder of the storm’s devastating human toll.
Flags in Ohio County were lowered to half-staff Thursday afternoon in honor of both Parsons and Pearson. Candlelight vigils and prayer services are already being organized across the county, as neighbors lean on one another in shared mourning.
Local leaders have emphasized the need for mental health resources and emotional support in the days ahead, acknowledging the trauma and loss affecting so many families.
“This is not just a weather event—it’s a community tragedy,” said Ohio County Commissioner Janice Mitchell. “We grieve for Sandra, we stand with her family, and we promise to honor her memory by rebuilding this community stronger and closer than before.”
Ongoing Recovery and Relief
Ohio County and surrounding areas continue to grapple with the aftermath of the floods. Roads remain washed out, homes have been destroyed, and power restoration efforts are ongoing. FEMA and other federal and state agencies have deployed teams to assist in damage assessments, resource distribution, and recovery planning.
Officials estimate that hundreds of residents were affected by evacuations, with many still displaced and relying on shelters and volunteer aid stations for support.
Emergency responders are urging anyone returning to their homes to use extreme caution, citing hazards such as contaminated water, mold, electrical damage, and compromised structures.
A Legacy of Love
Though the waters have begun to recede, the void left behind by Sandra Kay Parsons is one that cannot be filled. Her life—marked by quiet generosity, steadfast devotion, and compassion—serves as a guiding light during a time of darkness.
“She didn’t just teach school—she taught all of us what it meant to be kind, patient, and thoughtful,” said a family friend. “Sandra’s legacy isn’t just in what she did. It’s in how she made people feel: seen, valued, and loved.”
Funeral arrangements for Sandra Kay Parsons will be announced by her family in the coming days. Community members wishing to pay tribute will be welcomed to a public memorial service to be held at her church later this week.
Final Words
As Ohio County continues to recover, let us not forget the individuals whose lives were lost in the flood. Let us remember Sandra Kay Parsons not for the tragedy that took her, but for the love she gave so freely and the legacy she leaves behind—a legacy of kindness, education, and enduring faith.
May she rest in peace.
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For those seeking grief counseling or support resources, local churches, Red Cross centers, and mental health providers are working together to offer free services to those impacted by the flooding.