Madison 7th-grader Sarrah Lewis dies after battling flu B, strep and pneumonia

MARSHALL - The Madison County Schools community continues to suffer tragedy in 2024, as Madison Middle School student Sarrah Lewis died Feb. 25, Lewis' mother, Tiffany Cassidy, confirmed to The News-Record & Sentinel.

After more than a month of battling a sickness, in which she contracted influenza B, strep and pneumonia, Lewis died shortly after 12:45 p.m. Feb. 25.

Madison County Schools Superintendent Will Hoffman sent out an email Feb. 25 to school system staff. The News-Record & Sentinel obtained a copy of the email from Hoffman.

"Sarrah‘s untimely passing, due to complications in the healing process of her illness, has left us all in a state of shock and profound sorrow," Hoffman said in the email.

"Though we have weathered many challenges together, the loss of a student, especially one so young and full of promise, is an incredibly painful experience for our school community. We are all connected, whatever affects one of us resonates throughout all. Sarrah‘s presence brightened our hallways with kindness, talent, and her infectious spirit. She will be sorely missed by her classmates, teachers, and all who had the privilege of knowing her."

Hoffman said Madison Middle School will have extra counselors available throughout the week to support students and staff during this time of grief.

According to Hoffman, Madison Middle School Principal Jessica Chandler is planning a day this week in which staff and students throughout the school district wear Lewis favorite color in her memory.

"We will inform staff of that day and, together, remember Sarrah‘s legacy of strength, kindness and warmth," Hoffman said.

Madison Middle School's Facebook page, Madison Middle Patriots, made a post Feb. 25 in which they offered support to Cassidy and Lewis' family.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with Sarrah's family during this difficult time," the school said in the Facebook post.

Cassidy said Lewis came down with influenza B in late January.

She was receiving care at Atrium Health's Levine Children's Hospital in Charlotte. According to Cassidy, her daughter's illness worsened during the week of Jan. 22-26.

"She came home with a cough, on a Thursday (Jan. 25). On that Friday, I took her to the doctor, and she was told she had flu B. The next night, she was turning blue and going to the hospital. So that's how fast it went.

"What did it was the strep A, and the pneumonia even got down into her lungs."

Cassidy said Lewis fought hard throughout her sickness, and was even pronounced dead a number of times in early February before rallying to make a comeback.

"They did not believe she was going to make it," Cassidy said. "She died about, I don't even know how many times, at Mission Hospital. They put her on life support and didn't even think that she would make it to Levine Hospital. I'll be honest, all last week is kind of like a big blur for me. Some of it, your body just automatically blocks it out. But that's how it started."

But Madison Middle School's Facebook page said Lewis' conditioned worsened Feb. 24.

"Our sweet Sarrah has been fighting hard in recent weeks. We were updated this morning that she has suffered some complications with the healing of wounds that were a result of poor perfusion," Madison Middle School's Facebook page said in the Feb. 24 post made shortly after 5 p.m.

More: 7th-grade student on life support Madison Middle School accepting donations for 7th-grade student on life support

There has been no announcement on whether Madison Middle School will host a memorial service for Lewis.

"In times like these, we are reminded of the fragility of life and the importance of cherishing every moment we have with one another," Hoffman said. "Sarrah‘s passing serves as a poignant reminder to hold our loved ones a little closer and to express our appreciation for the blessings in our lives."

Johnny Casey has covered Madison County for The Citizen Times and The News-Record & Sentinel for more than three years. He earned a first-place award in beat news reporting in the 2023 North Carolina Press Association awards. He can be reached at 828-210-6074 or jcasey@citizentimes.com.

This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Madison 7th-grader Sarrah Lewis dies after battle with flu B, strep