Timberland High Classmates, Family Say A Final Goodbye To Katelyn Moore

BERKELEY COUNTY, S.C.—Friends and family said a final farewell on Monday to Katelyn Moore, a young lady who touched so many lives during her short time on earth. In just 21 days, she would have graduated from Timberland High School, beginning a new chapter in life.

“She may not have walked the platform at the graduation ceremony, but she walked the platform into heaven as she entered the gates,” stated her cousin, Jeanette Neicey Cook.

The 18-year-old’s life ended tragically on May 5^th when she was killed in a head on collision on Black Tom Road in Bonneau. Her death rattled and still shakes the small community she called home with many people left wondering ‘Why?’ and ‘How?’

“My biggest concern is our family’s broken hearts at this time,” stated Cook. “She loved to smile, and she tried her best to make everyone laugh. She was bright, well- mannered and spunky.”

While Katelyn will not walk across the stage to accept her diploma in about two weeks, many of her classmates, dressed in their green caps and gowns, brought the graduation to her instead.

“These are some truly amazing teenagers to come together and show love and respect for all of our family and honor Katelyn,” stated Cook.

From the funeral and even right up to the burial, dozens of her classmates stayed with the casket, never leaving its side until placed into the ground at Pioneer Pentecostal Holiness Church Cemetery in Cordesville.

“Oh, my gosh tears flooded my eyes, and I was so proud of them to honor her that way,” stated Wendy Kirby Mitchum, whose daughter had been friends with Katelyn since the second grade.

One day before the fatal crash that took Katelyn’s life, Mitchum spoke to the teen one final time. According to Mitchum, she had called to take and schedule Mother’s Day pictures with her mom.

“It’s weighed heavy on my heart. I was supposed to take those pictures, but I didn’t,” stated Mitchum. “She was a sweet girl and never hurt anyone. She was a true spirit. She spoke her mind and had a big heart.”

Cook says she’ll miss seeing her cousin at work. The two worked together at Little Caesars in Moncks Corner. No matter the situation, Cook says her little cousin was never afraid to speak her mind.

“She didn’t bite her tongue. She told people exactly how it was with a smile, telling her closest friends ‘I’ma need you to do better,’” added Cook. “She was a great kid. And she loved her boyfriend, Mike. Most of all she loved her parents Mary Kay and Bill.”

Katelyn leaves behind her mother and father of Bonneau; a sister, Jessica Moore of Bainbridge, GA; and her grandparents, David Winningham of St. Stephen, and Priscilla Harrelson of Sulligent, AL.

Her death made the 15th traffic fatality in Berkeley County for 2016.