Community Grieves as Missing Triadelphia Woman Sandra Kay Parsons Found Deceased Following Ohio County Floods
TRIADELPHIA, WV — June 20, 2025 — The heartbreaking search for Sandra Kay Parsons, an 83-year-old resident of Triadelphia, came to a sorrowful conclusion on Wednesday, as officials with the Ohio County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) confirmed that she was found deceased in the wake of the catastrophic floods that swept across the region earlier this week. Her tragic death marks the ninth confirmed fatality from the devastating natural disaster that has left communities across Ohio County shattered and in mourning.
Sandra, known to her neighbors and friends as “Miss Sandy,” had been reported missing after her home on the outskirts of Triadelphia was inundated by fast-moving floodwaters during a sudden overnight surge on Sunday. Despite valiant search efforts by local authorities, first responders, and volunteers, heavy rainfall, debris, and road closures severely hampered the rescue operation. Her body was discovered late Wednesday afternoon, several miles downstream near a creek bed littered with debris.
The discovery brings a tragic close to a community-wide search that had inspired hope even amidst despair. Family, friends, and neighbors had held vigils, prayed, and waited anxiously for any news since her disappearance. The confirmation of her death has cast a pall of sorrow across the town, already reeling from the deaths of eight other flood victims, including beloved local man Jesse Pearson, who was found earlier the same day.
Born and raised in Ohio County, Sandra Kay Parsons was a lifelong Triadelphia resident who had lived in the same modest home for more than five decades. Widely known for her kindness, gentle demeanor, and unwavering faith, Sandra was a cherished figure in her neighborhood and a matriarch within her extended family. She had retired from a local textile mill many years ago, but never stopped staying busy—gardening in the spring, baking treats for the church, and watching over the children on her street like a second grandmother.
“She was the kind of person who would leave flowers on your porch just because,” said a neighbor tearfully. “She always had a story to share and a prayer for those in need. This is such a painful loss for all of us.”
Sandra’s son, Mark Parsons, who had flown in from North Carolina to aid in the search, expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support and the tireless work of the search crews.
“Our hearts are broken beyond words, but we take comfort knowing that Mom is at peace,” he said. “She was deeply loved and lived a life full of purpose, grace, and quiet strength. We will carry her memory with us forever.”
Governor Jim Justice also addressed the tragedy in a statement Friday morning, offering condolences to the Parsons family and commending the resilience of the Ohio County community.
“Sandra Kay Parsons was a woman of strength and compassion who represented the very soul of West Virginia. Our prayers are with her family and every family grieving right now. We will not forget them.”
In the days since the floods struck, Triadelphia and surrounding towns have witnessed both immense suffering and incredible acts of solidarity. Churches have opened their doors as shelters, local businesses have donated food and supplies, and volunteers from across the state have poured in to aid in cleanup and support.
The Ohio County EMA, in coordination with FEMA and state agencies, continues to assess damage, offer aid to displaced residents, and coordinate recovery efforts. Meanwhile, grief counselors and support groups have been mobilized to help those coping with loss, trauma, and displacement.
A memorial service for Sandra Kay Parsons will be held next week at her lifelong church, Triadelphia United Methodist, with details to be announced soon. In her memory, the family has requested donations be made to flood relief initiatives supporting elderly and vulnerable residents impacted by the disaster.
As Triadelphia begins to rebuild, the memory of Sandra Kay Parsons will live on as a symbol of enduring kindness and quiet resilience. Her legacy, like the roots she planted in her garden and in the hearts of those who knew her, will continue to grow.
Rest in peace, Miss Sandy.
You will be remembered not only for how you left this world, but for how beautifully you lived in it.