‘Truly loved’: Union County school worker dies after 3-month battle with COVID-19

INDIAN TRAIL, N.C. — A Union County Public Schools employee has died after a three-month battle with COVID-19.

The district said Melissa Bowman worked for the school system for 20 years and was a data manager at Poplin Elementary for 11 years. She had not been to work since testing positive for COVID-19 in August.

“The last couple months have felt like a roller coaster, when you’re pulling for somebody so hard,” said Renee Cristy, a longtime friend of Bowman.

The diagnosis sent Bowman to the emergency room and she was put on a ventilator in August. She died from complications Friday night.

“She was loved beyond what I could even explain to you. Truly, truly loved,” said Cristy.

On Saturday, Cristy set up a memorial outside Poplin Elementary. It was attended by dozens of people.

It’s the latest example of community support since creating a GoFundMe page to help with Bowman’s medical expenses in September. Channel 9 first reported about Bowman in September. At that point, she’d already been in the hospital for weeks and she had just started to breathe easier.

“Those little kids at Poplin, to those little kids that are now adults that went to Poplin,” she said.

Countless families stopped by with flowers and to share their fond memories of Bowman, including Poplin fifth-grader Jameson Cristy.

“She was always really nice in the office. We’ll really miss her,” the boy said.

The Union County School District did not say if Bowman contracted COVID-19 at work, but did issue a statement, saying she will truly be missed by her school family.

Her friends are hoping Bowman’s life serves as a reminder to take this virus seriously.

“She made you laugh. She made everybody laugh and she was such a life force, truly,” Christy said.

The school district said counselors will be available at the school next week for students and staff.

Full statement from the Union County School District:

“Union County Public Schools extends its sincerest condolences to the Bowman family. Mrs. Melissa Bowman worked in UCPS for 20 years and was a data manager at Poplin Elementary for 11 years. She will truly be missed by her school family. Counselors will be available on Monday and throughout the week for students and staff who need support during this difficult time.”

Check back with wsoctv.com for updates.

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