Family asks for support as Monroe teacher, coach battles pneumonia

MONROE — The Monroe High School family is asking the community for prayers as one staff member fights for her life.

For more than 20 years, Tomara “TJ” Leverington has walked the halls of Monroe High School as a math teacher and soccer coach.

“It’s tough. It’s our first Christmas together. We just got married two months ago,” said Tomar’s wife Buffy. “This happened quickly, and it actually taught me that life is super short. You never know what’s gonna happen.”

Buffy explained that nine days ago, Tomara went from being full of life to a hospital bed because of a bad case of pneumonia.

“In a short day and a half, I went from being able to talk to her, hear her, to being full code and on life support,” Buffy elaborated.

She went on to say the couple has gotten a lot of support from the community as they fight this battle.

“Every single one of them has touched my heart. It’s humbled me. Especially when I hear from her students, she is so passionate about work and her kids,” Buffy expressed.

Buffy said there have been attempts to wean Tomara off of life support, but so far it has not worked. However, she still has faith that her wife will pull through.

“I’m okay with spending the holiday in the hospital as long as she is going to get better,” Buffy said.

VIDEO: NC hospitals see increase in pediatric pneumonia cases

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