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What began as an ordinary day for Dalyce Kelley and her 95-year-old grandmother took a heartbreaking turn.

Kelley took on the role of caregiver for her grandmother, Dalyce Curry, who had been a resident of Altadena for many years. Dalyce moved to Los Angeles as a young woman, aspiring to become a Hollywood actress, and she had the opportunity to appear in a number of films throughout her career.

On the morning of January 7, Kelley accompanied her grandmother to several medical appointments. They spent approximately five to seven hours at a hospital undergoing additional tests. Finally, Curry received the news that she was cleared to return home.

That evening, Kelley was driving them back on the 5 Freeway, and they could see wildfire smoke, but it looked far enough away that they thought it would be safe.

As Kelley pulled up to her grandmother's house on Krenz Avenue, Curry inquired if she would like to spend the night. However, with another ill family member needing her attention, Kelley informed Curry — affectionately called “Momma Dee” by her loved ones — that she would give her a call in the morning to see how she was doing.

"We caught a whiff of smoke," Kelley remarked, "but honestly, everything seemed just fine, like any other day in Altadena."

Kelley was involved in a group chat with fellow residents from her grandmother's neighborhood. She sent a message informing them that she had just dropped Curry off and inquired if anyone could check on her in the event of an evacuation order. Kelley remembered that someone responded with a "thumbs up" emoji.

As Kelley rounded the corner, she spotted police officers and firefighters gathered at a command center established outside a Rite Aid. She felt a pang of regret for not pulling into that parking lot to inquire about the fire's situation and if there were any plans to evacuate her grandmother's neighborhood.

Kelley stirred awake at approximately 6 a.m. She noticed a text from Curry's landlord inquiring if anyone had gone to collect her grandmother, as an evacuation order had been announced around 3:30 a.m. Concerned, Kelley promptly dialed 911, hoping the police could assist in retrieving her grandmother. After being transferred several times, she ultimately resolved to drive to her grandmother's residence on her own.

While Kelley was behind the wheel, she noticed the ominous dark smoke from the wildfire billowing in the sky above her.

“It was completely dark, the entire city,” she remarked. “As I was leaving Lincoln, all I could see was shadows.”

In the end, Kelley encountered a police roadblock where she provided her grandmother's address to an officer for verification. After that, she made her way to the Pasadena Civic Center, designated as an evacuation shelter, hoping to locate her grandmother there.

Approximately 15 minutes after Kelley arrived, she received a call from the police officer. "I'm really sorry to inform you, ma'am," he said. "Your grandmother's house has been completely destroyed by fire. It's no longer standing."

Kelley searched for Curry at both the Pasadena center and the Arcadia Community Center, where evacuees were being sheltered, but had no luck. Eventually, she decided to file a missing-person report. On Friday, as she tried to return to Altadena, the National Guard halted her journey. A member of the Guard kindly offered to escort her to her grandmother’s home, only to find it in ruins.

The only items remaining on her grandmother's estate were a blue Cadillac, a refrigerator, a stationary bicycle, and a metal bed frame.

"Everything else had disappeared," Kelley remarked.

By Sunday, Kelley received a phone call from the Los Angeles County coroner, informing her that human remains had been discovered on her grandmother's land.

Curry was born in 1929 in Little Rock, Arkansas, and aspired to achieve success as an actor in Hollywood.

She relocated to Los Angeles and featured in movies such as “The Ten Commandments,” “Lady Sings the Blues,” and “The Blues Brothers.” In addition to her acting career, Curry was also a talented tap dancer and singer. She received guidance from Madame Sul-Te-Wan, who was the first Black woman to secure a film contract with a major studio.

“She had a deep passion for the arts, which she passed down to me,” Kelley shared. “As a result, I found myself in the world of radio, working behind the scenes on music videos.”

Curry eventually pursued a career in nursing, dedicating her time to caring for the elderly until her retirement. Her family fondly recalls her as a “very glamorous” individual, known for her signature wigs and impeccably done makeup and nails.

Kelley recalled, “My grandmother would often say, ‘Darling, things are never as terrible as they appear.’” She added, “Even during my toughest times, her words gave me the strength to carry on and engage with the media. I always understood how extraordinary she was.”

Kelley expressed her desire for improved measures in future emergencies to assist elderly individuals who may not be familiar with technology or lack access to a mobile phone or online notifications. She mentioned that although Curry possessed a cellphone, she struggled with its usage.

Kelley remarked, “They claimed there was no door-to-door notification. There was a message regarding the evacuation alert, but I learned that by the time the evacuation text was received, embers had already begun to rain down from above.”

Kelley emphasized her grandmother's deep affection for Altadena, a place she had called home for over two decades.

"Altadena was truly unique," Kelley remarked. "It had a rich multicultural vibe, with nearly 47% of the population being African American. We had a strong sense of community, filled with deep-rooted legacies and histories, where families handed down their homes through generations."

“She spent more than two decades there,” she remarked. “Altadena held a special place in her heart. I could never convince her to leave.”

Curry’s family has launched a GoFundMe page to help cover funeral and memorial costs, in addition to other expenses.

Kelley mentioned that even if Curry had escaped the fire, she is uncertain if her grandmother would have had much longer to live after witnessing the devastation of her community.

“She couldn’t possibly have seen the destruction I experienced,” she remarked, “since her heart and spirit belonged to Altadena.”