Donovan James Jones, Teenager

A Buckeye 13-year-old passed away last Friday following complications with COVID. Donovan James Jones was born with sickle cell anemia. His mother, Teresita Horne, believes when her husband came back from a trip with COVID, it had spread to the rest of the family.

Horne was the first family member to be hospitalized with COVID. A week into his two-week hospitalization with the virus, Donovan started having seizures. On November 11, he was airlifted to Phoenix Children’s.

Horne says doctors mentioned to her that Donovan’s brain started to swell and bleed which ultimately led to Donovan’s death just a day later on November 12.

She says if it weren’t for getting COVID, he’d still be here today. “I didn’t get a chance to say goodbye, I didn’t get a chance to touch him, none of that,” Horne said. Horne, nor Donovan had gotten the vaccine.

Like many 13-year-olds, Horne describes her son as compassionate, a good older brother to his one sister. He always wore his mask everywhere he went to protect himself and others. He loved WWE wrestling and being “goofy,” says his mom.

“I would want him to know I love him, beyond.. beyond anything,” said Horne.

Horne says her son Donovan was a happy teenager who aspired to one day be an executive but, in the meantime, he enjoyed being 13.