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Flint woman survives COVID-19, wakes up from coma and receives symbolic keys to the city and title “Queen Sharon”

Featured photo: Friends and relatives, many of whom drove by her house waving June 13, told the Flint Courier News why they now refer to 73-year-old Sharon Riley as “Queen Sharon.” Photos by Lisa Land

A caravan of vehicles drove past Riley’s home in celebration of her life on June 13.
Sharon Riley surrounded by family and other loved ones, including Rep. Cynthia Neeley and Mayor Sheldon Neeley to her right, who honored her with a plaque symbolizing the keys to the city

Written by Tanya Terry

Sharon Riley, a 73-year-old woman with pre-existing conditions who was one of the first confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Genesee County, came out of a coma and recently returned home. Riley also became the fourth person to get the keys to the city from Mayor Sheldon Neeley on June 13. She has come to be known as “Queen Sharon” on social media. Her loved ones told the Flint Courier News why.

Sharon Riley’s son, Ron Manager, who was living in Atlanta but is relocating to Flint, saw his mother in person for the first time since she was ill June 4. He said the day his mom was being released from the hospital the nurses clapped all the way down the hall for her.

“I asked her what the first thing she wanted to do was, and she said ‘tacos,’” Manager said.

Before they went anywhere else the family went to La Azteca Taco House, Riley’s favorite restaurant. Manager recorded the outing. Apparently, Riley had requested the family bring tacos for her to the hospital, but they refused.

After gathering for a Mexican meal, Riley went to see her two best friends.

“Marva Neeley is my mom’s best friend, and Sheldon is her son,” Manager said, referring to Flint’s Mayor Sheldon Neeley.

According to Manager, Neeley is Riley’s godson.

Riley’s biological children were all living out of town. One of Riley’s daughters lives in Atlanta, and the other one lives in Texas.

Riley had recently been to a funeral, and Manager said he doesn’t know if that’s where she contracted the virus.

According to Manager, his mother had symptoms for about a day before she called the ambulance to take her to the hospital herself, being the type of person who does not like to worry others. Initially, Riley thought the problem may be high blood pressure.

“My sister called me the night she went to the hospital and said she went to the hospital with flu-like symptoms.”

Riley had all the symptoms of COVID-19, including fever, dizziness and shortness of breath.

In the hospital, she was treated for asthma attacks because she was asthmatic prior to her admittance.

She started to get better around the fifth day. Then, she was diagnosed with COVID-19.

“She started being treated with the hydroxychloroquine and starting the very next day, she went totally downhill.”

After the medicine period, Riley’s condition “leveled out.”

“She could have gotten better or worse, but she got worse,” Manager said.

COVID-19 damaged Riley’s kidneys and gave her a stroke on her left side. Her lungs were filled with pneumonia. She also had liver damage.

She didn’t need the ventilator at first, but one was offered one as a precaution because hospital staff said if they waited until she needed it, a ventilator may not be available for Riley. The family was told if they put the ventilator on, hospital staff would be inducing a coma, as required, because the ventilator would be uncomfortable and Riley could try to pull it off. This was frightening for Riley’s loved ones.

“She said I’m going to let them do it. I said ‘I love you mama.’”

Riley told her son she loved him too. Manager said he kept wondering if those would be the last words he and his mother would be able to speak to each other.

Around the tenth day of being in the hospital, Riley went into a coma. At times, immediate and extended family, as well as friends, worried they would not get to tell Riley good-bye and thank her for all her acts of kindness in person before she took her last breath.

Riley’s first cousin, Coy Bridges, said because of Riley’s age factor and not really knowing much about COVID-19, it was very scary.

“When I heard she was in a coma, that’s when I knew things were pretty bad,” Bridges said. “Not being able to see your loved one, not being able to talk to them or touch them-that’s a difficult time…especially when someone is sick. That’s when you really want to be there to comfort them.”

A month later, Riley’s husband passed away.

Riley’s husband, a World War II veteran, was in a facility when Riley got sick. Family said this was to give Riley a break from care giving because he needed complete care. Her husband had dementia and had experience strokes. Riley’s plan was to get him out of the facility until she got sick. Family said her husband, Rev. Leon Riley, who previously pastored New Testament Baptist Church, knew who his wife was despite his dementia and likely knew something was wrong when his wife couldn’t make it to see him.

In addition, Sharon Riley’s brother, Charles “Papi” Collins, suffered severe mental incapacities due to being a Vietnam War veteran. Riley, who is also an evangelist, had been his caregiver, as well. He had gone into the hospital 10 days after Riley. He had a semi-seizure, according to Manager. The ambulance came and initially said he was just dehydrated. He was diagnosed with COVID-19 the next day.

“He was also treated in the hospital with hydroxychloroquine, and he didn’t have any COVID-19 symptoms going in at all,” Manager said. “As soon as he started taking the medicine, he went downhill, as well. Ten days later he was gone. Who knows? It could have been COVID. He could have had an allergic reaction to his psych meds. He could have taken them the wrong way. My mom wasn’t there and she monitored how he took his medicine. At that time, no one knew what happened.”

Riley, who was hospitalized for three months, woke up to a new reality when she realized her husband and brother had lost their lives to COVID-19. Still, Riley manages to inspire and encourage others.

In a Facebook group, Manager gave updates on how the family was doing. Manager has over 5,000 followers on Facebook. Support from family and friend through constant communication kept the family strong, according to Manager.

Neeley became aware Riley was sick when Riley’s daughter contacted him and asked Neeley to pray. He said it was inspiring to see one of the first people who contracted the coronavirus recover, and all the people who came to show support was a great example of what Flint is.

“We’re going to show her she’s loved and she’s cared for in this community,” Neeley said. “(It’s) likewise for every resident who had to undergo this. We deeply care for and have compassion for those individuals who had to go through this, and we have to remember this virus is real.”

“It’s been trial and tribulation, but it makes you stronger,” Riley said, who was seated in a wheelchair on her porch surrounded by those who cared about her when she received the keys to the city in the symbolic form of a plaque.

“I feel strong,” Riley continued, “I feel strong.”

A caravan of more than a dozen vehicles drove by Riley’s house, waving to the woman Neeley described as a “champion.” The fire department arrived later, showing additional support.

Shawnda (Troy) Gipson, Riley’s daughter, who lives in Texas, said she thought her mother would be on dialysis for the rest of her life. But, Riley is no longer on dialysis. She also recovered from the stroke and many other effects of COVID-19 on the body.

She walked up the stairs of her house for the first time since she was hospitalized on the day of the drive-by celebration.

Gipson said her mom is a spiritually strong person with a “special relationship with God” and is a fighter, which may have helped her overcome the deadly illness. Gipson believes her mother will again be able to walk seven miles every other day like she used to, as well as to roller skate, which her mother has expressed interest in doing again.

“It’s miraculous to know there is some possibility she will reach 100% of her lifestyle before the COVID…but it will be 100 plus because she has a testimony. She will be triple-even quadruple the inspiration she was to people before COVID.”

 

Sharon Riley was honored with a plaque for her enduring strength and inspiring spirit

 

Many of those who drove past Sharon Riley’s home on June 13 waving were excited to do so because they didn’t know they would ever have the opportunity again.

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