'She loved everybody': Family mourns NC teacher who died after contracting COVID-19

Julie Davis was a third-grade teacher at Norwood Elementary School in Stanly County.

The district posted a heartfelt message about Davis' passing on Facebook, saying, "Students absolutely loved being taught by Mrs. Davis. Her personality was infectious and she brought joy into the lives of the students, staff, and community."

According to Norwood Elementary School, Davis taught there for two years and was known for her creative teaching methods and high standards and expectations that inspired others to do their best.

The health department doesn't believe Davis got the virus from the school, which allowed in-person classes to resume two months ago, but her family disagrees.

"She loved everybody," said Leanna Richardson, Davis' daughter. "She cared about everybody. She didn't know a stranger. You couldn't be in a room with my mom and not laugh."

Richardson said her mom became a teacher after Columbine and has been in the field for 18 years.

"She knew if she could change a child's life through teaching, maybe that wouldn't happen again," Richardson said. "And here we are, years later, and she touched everybody."

"It just came from her heart," added Laura Britt, Davis' sister. "She could reach every child in the classroom. She just loved every child."

Davis was also proud to be a grandma to 2-year-old Eli, who called her "Lolli."

"She loved us all, but she loved that little boy," Richardson said.

Davis' family said she was excited to get back to the classroom to see her kids but was also nervous, because she didn't want to endanger her 74-year-old mother or her grandson.

"She did everything she could to never endanger them," Richardson said. "She wore her mask everywhere she went. And it's not that they are necessarily to blame, but they cannot confirm without a doubt that she did not get it from being in that classroom."

Davis' brother, Stan Andrews, said he's upset that the school district said his sister didn't get COVID-19 at Norwood.

"She told me when I talked to her that she had definitely gotten it from the school," he said.

Davis' loved ones tried to video message with her in her final days at the hospital. To honor her legacy and her memory, her family doesn't want another family to endure the same heartbreak.

"I do not want anybody to feel this empty hole that we have," Britt said.

"This virus doesn't care," Richardson said. "And we all have to do our part so that no one else has to feel this pain. I just want everyone to remember who she was. How hard she worked. How hard she loved."