Family pleads for public's help to find missing Darlington man

DARLINGTON — Darlington County sheriff’s deputies continue to ask for the public’s help to find a missing 40-year-old Darlington man.

Garland Kelly of 1764 N. Governor Williams Highway has not been seen by family or friends since March 3.

Kelly is described as white man 5 feet 10 inches tall, weighing 175 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes.

Kelly’s family and friends said they are becoming increasingly concerned about his welfare and his disappearance is very unusual.

Kelly’s mother, Sybil Kelly, said the morning of March 3 was just like any other.

She said her son went to one of his favorite Darlington restaurants for coffee and planned to pick her up shortly afterward to take her to Hartsville.

But he never returned.

“It is very unreal. He has been here almost 12 years, ever since his daddy died, and he was the one who had been taking care of me and his daughter, too,” she said. “It’s highly unusual for him not to stay in contact with us constantly.”

Sybil Kelly said she talked with relatives after 24 hours passed since her son’s disappearance, and those relatives called authorities.

Garland Kelly’s niece, Brandy Watford, said she had a very close relationship with her uncle and she feels he would never abandon his mother and child.

Watford said she fears the worst of circumstances as each day passes, but continues to hold out hope for the best.

“I feel like something bad has happened. He would not stay away from home, he wouldn’t leave my grandma. He never has, he never would,” she said. “I feel like something’s happened to him and the sooner I find him, the better.”

Sybil Kelly and her family operated a restaurant, the Carolina Grille, next door to their home for many years and said her son made a lot of friends that way over time.

She said she’s certain someone out there knows where he is and what’s happened to him.

“Anybody — don’t care who you are or where you come from — he knows so many people that maybe somebody has come in contact with him and would be able to give us some kind of lead. It’s just so disappointing day in and day out, to not know anything,” she said.

Watford said she hopes someone comes forward with information soon that will bring her uncle home.

“Whatever you’ve got to do, just tell somebody, get it to us because she (Sybil Kelly) needs him, his daughter needs him. I mean, I’m holding it down the best I can but I need him home,” Watford said.

Garland Kelly’s family said he was a very nice, quiet man who didn’t have any enemies, only friends. They say they don’t understand what might have happened to him, but are urging anyone with information to call authorities.

Kelly was most recently seen in a white, 2006 Chevy Uplander van with a South Carolina license plate FYM 924. The vehicle has a handicapped tag hanging in the front and a dealer sticker on the back from Jeff Gordon Auto Sales.

Darlington County deputies are also searching for a Darlington man who’s been missing since St. Valentine’s Day.

Roland Hudson, 53, of 809 Wheat Field Drive, is described as a black man about 5 feet 4 inches tall and weighing about 220 pounds. He may be driving a blue 1997 Lincoln Town Car.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of either man is asked to call the sheriff’s office at (843) 398-4501 or the state Crime Stoppers hotline at (888) CRIME SC (274-6372). Callers need not reveal their identities.