'Brought the sunshine out of everybody:' Family, friends remember 23-year-old coronavirus victim

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- A celebration of life took place at Smith Park in Milwaukee Monday.

Family and friends came together to remember Jaquan Zollicoffer.

The 23-year-old died April 17 after being diagnosed with coronavirus.

“He was respectful to people and also he just brought the sunshine out of everybody,” said Jaquan’s mother Velma Zollicoffer.

His mother Velma says Jaquan started feeling symptoms on April 4, about two weeks before his death.

"He was feeling like he didn’t have any life in him,” she said.

On April 13, he went to the hospital and tested positive for COVID-19.

Jaquan had asthma, but his lab results revealed a new health condition unknown to his family.

“They were saying that it was diabetes,” she explained.

Over the next four days, Jaquan’s condition worsened.

He was transferred to the ICU. His organs started to fail, and doctors started dialysis.

Jaquan’s body went into shock, and he died on April 17.

"I don’t want nobody to feel what I’m feeling, cause it’s not a good feeling,” she said.

Velma believes several factors, including the virus, contributed to her son’s death.

She says no matter who you are, you should take care of your health.

“It doesn't matter if you have asthma, heart trouble, diabetes or whatever, big, medium or small, when they tell you to stay in the house, stay in the house.”

As of April 20, there were 127 reported COVID-19 related deaths in Milwaukee County.

Of these, 67 were African Americans.

A GoFundMe has been created for Jaquan's funeral expenses. To contribute, click here.