Hueytown Intermediate student Jace Watkins dies after battle with flu
By Ryan Lovell
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HUEYTOWN, Alabama (WVTM) — A Hueytown 11-year-old who had been in the ICU battling the flu has died.
Jace Watkins became ill in mid- to late December and saw a doctor who said his lungs looked good. He had a seizure the next day, was hospitalized and placed on a ventilator, according to a Facebook post from his aunt, Sabrina Parsons. In the same post, Parsons said his heart stopped and had to be shocked.
A student at Hueytown Intermediate School, Watkins was described in a Facebook post by his principal, Cari McClellan, as a “bright light to everyone who knew him.”
McClellan said Watkins died Saturday night.
“There really aren’t words to adequately describe what we’re feeling right now,” McClellan said. “… His sweet, genuine smile will be missed by all. Please continue to pray for his family, and our school family, as we all work to navigate this unimaginable loss.”
A prayer vigil was held for Jace before Christmas. His aunt, Sabrina Parsons, said in a Facebook post that he never got to open his gifts, adding that his death will forever weigh on their family.
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Funeral arrangements have not been announced.
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