DeEtte Kelley Black

Mrs. DeEtte Kelley Black, 92, of Leesville and formerly of Seneca, passed away peacefully on Thursday, June 11, 2026 at home surrounded by her family. She was born on October 1, 1933 in Seneca, South Carolina to the late Julius Martin and Artie Mae Knox Kelley. Mrs. Black began her career in the textile industry for many years beginning at J.P. Stevens & Co. and later with Jantzen until she retired. After her retirement she found joy by working in her yard; doing anything from general yard work, gardening, growing beautiful flowers which was her pride and joy, to decorating her yard for the holidays especially the Christmas season. Mrs. DeEtte loved to cook delicious meals, solving word search puzzles and a good game of bowling! In her early years, Mrs. Black also loved to craft and sew. A woman of Christian faith, she attended Providence Baptist Church in Leesville until her health declined. Mrs. DeEtte will always be remembered as a beloved wife, mama, nana, and sister. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

Mrs. Black is survived by her daughter, Cindy Dudney (Phillip) of Lexington, SC; brothers, Arthur “Hugh” Kelley of Atlanta, GA, John Martin Kelley of Jefferson, GA, and Henry Kelley of Westminster, SC; granddaughter, Savannah Dudney of Clemson, SC; and  “grandpups”, Oakley and Sadie. She was predeceased by her beloved husband of 53 years, Ralph Black; brothers, J.C. Kelley, Claude Harold Kelley, Knox Kelley, and Franklin “Bud” Kelley; sisters, Marguerite Jones, Vivian McClellan, and Martha Tarrant; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A private burial will be held at Oconee Memorial Park in Seneca. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Providence Baptist Church, 3708 Pond Branch Road, Leesville SC 29070.

The family would like to give a very special thank you to Elizabeth Turner, for going above and beyond her caregiving duties. The difference you made in Mrs. Black’s life will be forever appreciated. Barr-Price Funeral Home and Crematorium, Historic Batesburg-Leesville Chapel is assisting Mrs. DeEtte’s family with arrangements.

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