Beloved Baltimore City Teacher Antwion Ball Dies From COVID-19
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- A beloved Baltimore City Schools teacher died from complications related to COVID-19 last Friday, Nov. 27.
Antwoin Ball, a respected Baltimore educator, died of complications from the coronavirus according to his family.
Friend and relative Brian Henderson speaks about the death of Antwion Ball, who taught in Baltimore schools and died from COVID complications. @wjz pic.twitter.com/E8SW8sXXhG
— Mike Hellgren (@HellgrenWJZ) December 4, 2020
"Antwoin had acquired COVID-19 probably three weeks ago," his cousin, Corey Johnson, told WJZ Investigator Mike Hellgren. "He was fighting with the virus, and what I want people to know is you've got to take this seriously."
'You've got to take this serious' |Baltimore teacher Antwion 'Busta' Ball, 43, became sick with #COVID19 3 weeks ago. His family says he died from complications related to the virus. He also suffered from diabetes. We spoke to his cousin Corey Johnson ⬇️ https://t.co/fmqmoEmVfb pic.twitter.com/4JLCW6Yrli
— Mike Hellgren (@HellgrenWJZ) December 5, 2020
Known as 'Busta,' Ball was just 43 years old.
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"He went to the hospital more than once. People need to understand if you're not on your death bed and having respiratory issues, they send you back home," Johnson said.
Ball did have an underlying condition. He suffered from diabetes.
"He had part of his foot amputated. He's had several surgeries, so his body just wasn't equipped to battle COVID. He tried to fight it, but it just was too much," his cousin said. "He loved Baltimore, and he left a legacy. We're going to miss him."
The two made several videos together.
"He tried his best to make a difference. I consider him to be one of the educators who put forth their best effort to impact the future," Johnson said.
Family members have set up a GoFundMe that has raised more than $4,000 for Ball's funeral expenses.
"There is nothing we can do to bring him back," said Brian Henderson, another relative who started the fundraiser. "For those people who are out there may who wonder what COVID has done to a lot of these communities, the proof is right here. I mean, you just see a guy like Busta being taken away from us. 2020 has been vicious."
Loved ones are raising money for the funeral of a Baltimore educator who died from #COVID19 complications @wjz https://t.co/GPGNwOOMil
— Mike Hellgren (@HellgrenWJZ) December 4, 2020
Ball's funeral is scheduled for next Tuesday. You can get more information and sign his guest book by clicking here.
For the latest information on coronavirus go to the Maryland Health Department's website or call 211. You can find all of WJZ's coverage on coronavirus in Maryland here.