BY ROGER SMITH
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
WAYNE COUNTY, W.Va. — A tragic car accident early Tuesday claimed the life of 19-year-old Kennadi Dawn Mollett of Jennies Creek, leaving the community on both sides of the Tug River devastated.
Mollett, a freshman at the University of Pikeville (UPIKE) and a 2024 graduate of Martin County High School, was killed in a collision on U.S. 52 near Stonecoal. Witnesses reported that her vehicle veered across the center line into the path of an oncoming semi-truck. She died at the scene. The crash, which occurred during the morning commute, prompted West Virginia 511 to issue an alert closing the road around 8 a.m.
Social media has since been flooded with tributes to Mollett, a beloved cheerleader, basketball player and aspiring nurse.
Martin County High School shared a heartfelt message: “Once a Cardinal, Always a Cardinal. Pray for the Cardinal Family as we mourn the loss of one of our own.”
Mollett’s former basketball coach, Robin Newsome, recounted the impact Mollett had on her teammates and the community. Newsome’s Lady Cardinals basketball team was scrimmaging Tuesday when they learned of her death. Grieving players, including many of Mollett’s classmates, gathered at the gym that evening.
“They stayed until 8 last night in the locker rooms,” Newsome said. “Kennadi never took her senior banner or her locker picture. She left it there. She was still with us in spirit.”
The next day, Newsome and the team visited Mollett’s family home on Jennies Creek, where they reminisced, shared memories, and took comfort in Mollett’s bedroom.
“They went straight to her room, laid in her bed, told stories and shared pictures and videos,” Newsome said.
She fondly described Mollett as “a mom to all the young kids,” recalling her nurturing spirit during basketball camps.
“She loved children and they all went to her. At my camps she always took the little kids by choice. She carried them on her hip for four days, cleaned snot from their noses, fed them and taught them. These were the 4-, 5- and 6-year-olds. They absolutely loved her.”
Mollett’s passion extended beyond sports. A cheer scholarship recipient, she was pursuing a nursing degree at UPIKE while working as a substitute teacher.
“She was a hard worker,” Newsome said.
“She never met a stranger. She was beautiful, and her smile was contagious. She lit up the room when she walked in.”
Mollett always led the Lady Cards in the school fight song.
“And when we ended practices, ‘1, 2, 3 Family,’” added Newsome. “She was every coach’s dream player. I really loved her like a daughter.”
Last week, Mollett and her classmates returned to Inez for the Lady Cardinals’ annual Friendsgiving.
“Kennadi led us in prayer before we ate,” said Newsome.
On Saturday, Martin County students and athletes will wear shirts honoring Mollett at the annual Zip Zone Classic.
Across the Tug River in Kermit, W.Va., where Mollett played AAU and attended school until freshman year, another coach was heartbroken.
“I have enjoyed coaching you, Kennadi Mollett, since you were just barely big enough to dribble,” LeeAnn Blankenship posted on Facebook. “I was so proud of you and your accomplishments in high school. I watched with excitement when you signed with UPIKE. We have many wonderful and fun memories with you. … Today, two states mourn the loss of this beautiful soul. She made a lasting impact everywhere she went.”
Mollett leaves behind her parents Robin (Jeff) Walker and Bill (Christian) Mollett; three brothers, Brandon (Alexis) Meddings, Brody Mollett and Bentley Chapman; and a host of family and friends.
Visitation will take place at the Martin County High School Auditorium on Friday from 6 to 9 p.m. The funeral is scheduled for noon Saturday at Callaham Funeral Home in Inez.