KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — The family of a 23-year-old Knoxville woman who died after experiencing a medical emergency in the Old City is remembering her as a loving mother with a big heart who could always make people laugh.

Kenya Burrough was a daughter, friend and mother to a two-year-old girl. As the investigation into her death continues, her mother, Talya Zuo, said she wants people to know who Kenya was beyond the circumstances surrounding her death.

"Kenya was a bubbly 23-year-old," Zuo said. "She seemed shy at first until you got to know her."

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Zuo said the best word she could use to describe her daughter was "goofy." Kenya loved taking pictures, making people smile and spending time with those closest to her.

Her biggest love, however, was her daughter, London.

"Kenya was an excellent, excellent mother," Zuo said. "She would go to war for her daughter. It's just absolutely amazing."

London is two years old and will turn three later this month. Zuo said Kenya was also preparing for the next chapter of their lives together.

Kenya was supposed to begin school this month to become a phlebotomist, something her mother said she was doing to create a better future for her daughter.

"She actually was starting school to be a phlebotomist so she could make things better for her daughter," Zuo said.

According to the Knoxville Police Department, officers were flagged down at around 2:20 a.m. regarding an unconscious woman inside Southbound in Knoxville's Old City.

As officers started to enter the business, police said they were told Southbound staff members were bringing the woman outside.

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Police identified the woman as Burrough and said she was unresponsive and appeared to be having difficulty breathing. According to KPD, Burrough's friends told officers that she had asthma and was having an asthma attack.

Officers requested an ambulance, and Knoxville Fire Department and American Medical Response personnel responded to the scene. Burrough was transported to an area hospital. KPD said officers were later notified that Burrough had died at the hospital.

Police said an autopsy has not been completed and a cause of death has not been determined. KPD's Investigations Bureau is working alongside the Medical Examiner's Office to investigate her death.

For Zuo, the days since losing her daughter have been difficult.

"I wouldn't want to wish this nightmare on anyone," Zuo said. "It's been horrible. I keep thinking I'm going to wake up and it's all been a bad dream."

As the investigation continues, Zuo said she does not want her daughter's final moments to define the life that came before them.

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"I want them to remember her smile," Zuo said. "I want them to remember her for being a very sweet person."

Most importantly, she wants London to grow up hearing the positive stories about her mother and knowing how much Kenya loved her.

Zuo said Kenya's memorial service is scheduled for Saturday.

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