Written by Tanya Terry
Sources: Obituary from Sheldon T. Banks Funeral Chapel, Flint and Genesee Group article and information provided by Dr. Tiffany Quinn
Featured photo: Kourtney Jones. Photo by Leni Kei Williams
On May 4, 2019, Dr. Tiffany Quinn experienced the heartache of losing her son, Kourtney Jones, to heart disease.
His obituary reads, During his childhood he participated in a bowling league, and he was quite the pool player. Kourtney loved to make people happy. He was also quite the jokester. It was very rare that you would not see him flashing that million-dollar smile.
Jones played the drums and bass guitar. He also worked as site team leader at Doyle-Ryder Elementary School for the YouthQuest program. Previous to that, he worked as a learning guide at Washington Elementary School, Mt. Morris, New Standard Academy and Potter Elementary. The students affectionately called him “Mr. Kourtney” or “Mr. K.”
“Sadly, we discovered after his passing that there were complications from his surgery that could have been avoided,” Quinn told the Courier. “Kourtney was a vibrant young man who brought joy to everyone he met, and it is in his memory that I am now committed to spreading awareness about heart health and the importance of being proactive about our cardiovascular health.”
The Rock Your Red Sunday event took place starting at 12 noon Sunday, Feb. 19, as part of the Bountiful Love Ministry Church’s Community Connections Outreach program.
On this special day, Nurse Tarnesa Martin, also known as ‘Nurse T,’ as available to provide valuable information and resources on heart health, as well as offer blood pressure checks to all participants.
Quinn urged others to show their support by wearing red and taking advantage of the resources and information that Martin and other health professionals were providing on Feb. 19.
“Let us work together to create a stronger, healthier, and more connected community,” she said. “It is important to take care of our hearts by exercising regularly, eating a healthy diet and monitoring our blood pressure and cholesterol levels.”
By sharing her son’s story, Quinn has been hoping to raise awareness about the importance of heart health and prevent other families from experiencing the same tragedy.
Quinn thanks the community for all its support, and noted over 1,000 people attended her son’s funeral on May 11, 2019.
She said, “Let us come together as a community and make a positive impact.”
More about The Rock Your Red Sunday event is to come in the Flint Courier News.