A University of Oregon freshman from Georgia who died this week will be remembered at a Saturday candlelight vigil. Her funeral will be held next week.
Lauren Jones, an 18-year-old Southwest DeKalb High School graduate, died Tuesday of meningococcemia, just hours after she began feeling ill and paramedics were called to her dorm.
Jones was on Oregon’s national champion acrobatics and tumbling team. A candlelight vigil will be held at 7 p.m. at the CheerTyme All-Stars of Georgia Gym. It’s located at 2575 Park Central Blvd. in Decatur.
Jones’ funeral will be held Feb. 28 at 1 p.m. at Greater Travelers Rest Baptist Church in Decatur, family spokeswoman Lisa Woodard said.
A gofundme page has been set up to help pay for Jones' funeral and other expenses. It can be found at http://www.gofundme.com/mwa5tw
Jones was an elite athlete who also played tennis and performed in the band at Southwest DeKalb, where she starred in gymnastics and competitive cheerleading.
The Register-Guard in Eugene, Ore. reported that Jones was the fourth confirmed case of the bacterial infection that spreads through respiratory and throat secretions. People who live in close proximity, as in dorms, are susceptible to contracting the disease.
The University of Oregon plans to offer vaccinations to protect all of its students against meningococcemia and related diseases, the Register-Guard said.
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