High school junior Julia Black, 16, she just played in a varsity volleyball game on Wednesday and attended all of her classes on Friday. Then suddenly, mysteriously, she was gone.
According to records, – Polk County Fire Rescue was dispatched to the teen’s home at 8:23 p.m. on Friday for a medical assistance call. However, paramedics were unable to revive her.
Black was the lead oboist in the Harrison orchestra and a key member of Lakeland High School’s varsity volleyball team. The 5-foot-11 middle blocker earned “Player of the Game” recognition three times this season. She was also vice president of Harrison’s Arts Council and vice president of the National English Honor Society.
Her volleyball teammates are channeling some of their shock and grief into action by urging people to participate in the American Heart Association’s “Heart Walk” on Saturday.
If you go
What: 2023 Polk County “Heart Walk” to benefit the American Heart Association
When: Saturday, Nov. 4. The Event opens at 8 a.m. and the walk starts at 9 a.m.
Where: Joker Marchant Stadium, 2301 Lakeland Hills Boulevard, Lakeland, FL 33805
Register: Team Julia
Route length: 3 miles
Volleyball teammate Caroline Mank has set up “Team Julia” where people can donate or sign up to walk in the event at Joker Marchant Stadium, 2301 Lakeland Hills Blvd.
Lakeland High School shared the details on its Facebook account Tuesday saying, “This is a great way to support and remember Julia!”
Julia Christine Black obituary:
Julia Christine Black was born on January 22, 2007, in Lakeland, Florida. She left us much too soon on Friday, October 27, 2023, after a sudden cardiac arrest caused by a pericardial infection.
Julia is survived by her adoring parents, Jenny Rebecca and Norman Larry Black, Jr., and her loving brother, Varn Michael Black, of Lakeland, Florida, and her faithful friend, Calum Muldoon, of Lakeland. She is also survived by her grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and many dear friends.
From the moment she was born, she brought joy to everyone in her presence. Each day of her life was a gift that was lived to the fullest. Julia was an honor student, a teammate on the varsity volleyball squad at Lakeland High School, and a member of the orchestra at the Harrison School for the Arts. She was involved in many clubs & activities and acted as a servant leader on her campus, on her team, and as the lead oboist in the orchestra. Julia also actively volunteered in her community.
Julia’s laughter was contagious and her integrity and compassion for others is her legacy. We have comfort knowing that, just as the Bible tells us in Matthew 25:23, she is in the arms of Jesus, and he said to her, “well done, my good and faithful servant.”
Arrangements are under the direction of Heath Funeral Chapel in Lakeland, FL. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, November 1, 2023, from 5 pm to 7 pm at Heath Funeral Chapel, 328 S. Ingraham Avenue, Lakeland, FL 33801. Services will be held on Thursday, November 2, 2023, at 10 am at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 4450 Harden Blvd, Lakeland, FL 33813. Private burial at Oak Hill Burial Park.
Donations can be made to the Julia C. Black Memorial Fund at the GiveWell Community Foundation in memory of Julia to honor her passion for the arts. https://secure.qgiv.com/for/cfgl/restriction/Julia+C++Black+Memorial+Fund
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.heathfuneralchapel.com.