A Lexington County family wants to change their mother’s death certificate.

Her children, Robin Hooke and Ryan Brown, say their mother Brenda Grist died of dementia, not covid.

WIS-TV reported Grist, 68, died Oct. 5.

Hooke says her mother received a negative covid-19 test at Carolina Gardens in West Columbia Sept. 9.

She was admitted to Lexington Medical Center Sept. 10 for kidney failure, where she tested positive.

“Covid-19, we were told by 2 physicians at Lexington Medical Center, did not affect her,” said Hooke.

10 days after the positive test, Hooke says her mother tested negative and received 2 more negative test results.

Nearly 2 weeks later, her mom had a seizure and died on the way to Providence Health Northeast.

“I immediately told them my mother was an organ donor and they said that because of covid our mother would not be able to donate her organs,” said Hooke.

“I said she doesn’t have covid. Her heart could have saved someone. Her lungs could have saved someone.”

When they received their mother’s death certificate, they were shocked to see covid-19 listed as her primary and only cause of death.

The doctor who signed off on the death certificate told WIS he could not comment.

Lexington County Coroner Margaret Fisher and Richland County Coroner Gary Watts say their offices are working to make sure covid-19 deaths in their counties are accurate.

“If they test negative and then die, covid will not be listed on their death certificated,” Fisher said.

Grist’s family wants to get dementia listed.

“Dementia is a hereditary disease, and our great-grandchildren may need to know that their great-grandmother had dementia.”