Former Clarendon County, South Carolina Softball Player Jessie Way Passes Away at 31 After Sustaining Injuries in an Accident
Gone way too soon!
NewsAnishDecember 5, 2026
This article was last updated by Rohit Maharjan on December 5, 2026
ALCOLU, S.C. — Jessica Nicole Way, a beloved multi-sport standout from Alcolu High School, died on December 2, 2026, after suffering injuries in a car accident. She was 31.
Her death has left family, classmates, and neighbors across Clarendon County reeling.
Late Jessie was known for her athleticism, her ready smile, and the way she showed up for people.
A member of the Class of 2013 and the Swamp Cat family, she starred in multiple sports and remained a familiar presence at local games and gatherings.
She is survived by her husband, Orry Hodge, and their three children. Her mother, Danette, remembered her daughter by posting a picture alongside her husband, Tray Way.
Late Jessica with her Parents. (Source: Facebook)Stephens Funeral Home of Manning, SC, will announce funeral arrangements.
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Tons of Tributes from Friends and Families
Reaction has poured in from across the community. Mary Mayson wrote, “At a loss of words. Rest in peace Jessie Way. You will be missed by so many and friend get togethers will never be the same. Please keep her family and friends in your prayers for the days to come.”
Chris Paack Jr. posted a longer prayer for the family. “My heart is heavy today. Found out an old classmate of mine, Jessie, has passed away… Please lift her family in prayer — especially her precious babies. May God wrap them in comfort and protect their hearts through a loss no family should ever face. Rest easy, Jessie Way.”
Colby McLeod urged the community to remember her spirit. “Anyone who knew this girl loved her. You are gone too soon, but forever in our hearts. Your legacy will continue through your children you sweet soul,” he wrote.
Classmate Jessica Rogers reflected on the Class of 2013 and the tight bond they shared. “We lost a family member from our 2013 Swamp Cat family. Almost 13 years has flown by and losing one of our own is like a gut punch. Prayers for everyone,” she said.
Melissa Braxton, speaking for many who knew Way closely, asked the community to support the family.
“Please keep Jessie Way family in your prayers. Her three beautiful babies, her mom Danette Way, her father Tray Way and her husband, Orry Hodge. The loss of Jessie is so devastating. She was a wonderful mother and person with a beautiful soul,” Braxton wrote.
Others echoed those sentiments in short messages that captured the sudden, widespread grief.
McGee said the news had “shaken everyone young or old in Clarendon and surrounding counties” and prayed that the tragedy would draw people closer.
Honey Dawn Chapman and Angie McLeod Berberich sent prayers and offers of help. PattyJaye Garrett Patterson and Christie Bobby Beatson added condolences and assurances of support.
A fundraiser to help the family was set up in the days after the crash and quickly drew broad support.
Neighbors and former teammates have organized meals, childcare, and other practical help as the family begins to grieve.
Way’s impact went beyond sports. People remember her for showing up, for lifting others, and for making small moments matter.
That steady kindness appears in dozens of posts and messages across the county. The family has asked for time and privacy while funeral plans are finalized.
For now, the community is coming together to support three young children and to honor the memory of a woman who meant a lot to many.
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AnishAnish Koirala has loved sports since he was a kid. He grew up playing basketball and soccer, and that passion stayed with him over the years. Today, Anish works as a writer and editor, sharing his knowledge and love for the game through articles and stories. He uses his playing experience to make his writing clear, thoughtful, and fun to read.
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