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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.

 

"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."

 

Known as 'Busta,' Ball was just 43 years old.

CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE:

"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."

 

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.

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