Weekend Vigil Held for Decatur Grad Who Died at College

Family and friends of an 18-year-old Decatur woman who died at her university early last week gathered on Saturday night to remember a life tragically cut short.

Lauren Jones, a 2014 graduate of Southwest DeKalb High School, contracted meningococcemia at the University of Oregon and died on Tuesday morning. Jones was the fourth Oregon student to contract the bacterial infection since the semester started. According to WSB-TV, Jones went to the hospital on Monday night to seek treatment, but was discharged after only a few hours.

Jones was on the Ducks’ acrobatics and tumbling team and captained the Panthers’ varsity gymnastics team. She also participated in the school band and was on Southwest DeKalb’s honor roll.

“All of us in the UO family are deeply saddened by Lauren’s sudden passing and extend our sympathies to her family and friends,” Director of Athletics Rob Mullens said in a statement. “As we honor Lauren’s spirit, we are providing comfort and support to her coaches, teammates and fellow student-athletes as they go through the grieving process.”

While the CDC prepares to immunize University of Oregon students against the infection which killed Jones, her friends and family members now want to know if hospital and university staff did everything in their power to save the young woman’s life.

A GoFundMe page has been established to help the Jones family cover the costs of Lauren’s funeral. Learn more about the fundraiser below: