Married 75 years ... Die within hours

[SDG]

This one brought tears to my eyes ...


Fort Worth couple married 75 years dies within hours of each other


12:45 PM CDT on Wednesday, April 2, 2008


By JIM DOUGLAS / WFAA-TV
jdouglas@wfaa.com


A Fort Worth couple married for 75 years were buried Tuesday afternoon, after dying within five hours of one other.
JC Cox, 100, and his wife Josie, 96, were married on Christmas Day in 1932.

"She was telling me they went up to a pastor's door and knocked on the door," said Lesha Grimm, one of the couple’s granddaughters. "He didn't marry them, so they went to another pastor's house."


75-year-old couple pass away hours apart. WFAA-TV's Jim Douglas reports.
April 1st, 2008


They kept their wedding vows for 75 years, through the deaths of their own children, the lives of three new generations and the inevitable changes in each other.

"He was 120 pounds at most, ever," Ms. Grimm said. "She was a fat granny."

While Josie was described as a talker, JC said little.
"He couldn't hear real well and he didn't talk much anyway," said Marla Williamson, another granddaughter. "That was his way of socializing with you was to share Dr Pepper."

The fridge is still loaded with Dr Pepper. The little Fort Worth house unchanged.

"They stayed together the whole time," Ms. Williamson said. "They slept in this bed."

Mrs. Cox insisted on being JC’s sole caregiver, even up until the moment they entered a nursing home last month.

"She was still ironing his clothes three weeks ago," Ms. Williamson said.

“She was going to make sure, even though he never went anywhere, his clothes were going to be starched.”

The granddaughters said their intimacy was apparent until the moment they died. A few days ago, Mr. Cox took Mrs. Cox's hand and he slipped away.

"Holding hands, and that's how they died," Ms. Williamson said. "Pa died holding onto Granny."

Just five hours later, she let go too as her family whispered to her.

"Your children are waiting for you, and Pa is waiting for you," Ms. Grimm said. "It's OK. You can let go and we'll all be OK together. And a minute later, she passed."

[Sister Alvear]

I cried too...

[Timmy]

Aw, how sweet! My folks are still together, going on 59 years. I hope they never die, but if they gotta go, going together would be nice.

That is precious. Pass the tissues! My parents were married 55 years when my mother passed away. I want a marriage like that.

[Mrs. LPW]

I never cried but it was touching.
I especially enjoyed reading where he loved his "fat granny". There's something to be said for true love.

[SDG]

Originally Posted by Timmy

Aw, how sweet! My folks are still together, going on 59 years. I hope they never die, but if they gotta go, going together would be nice.

That's an awesome witness, Tim. 59 years! The world today needs to know it's possible.

[SDG]

On the flipside ... being w/ your beloved that long is a gift and blessing. Yet, it's got to be so hard to continue w/o them.

I admire my mom and the incredible strength she has displayed since my dad went home. God has been her rock ... she's been an ideal example to her kids throughout.

[Pressing-On]

Originally Posted by Daniel Alicea

On the flipside ... being w/ your beloved that long is a gift and blessing. Yet, it's got to be so hard to continue w/o them.

I admire my mom and the incredible strength she has displayed since my dad went home. God has been her rock ... she's been an ideal example to her kids throughout.

This is so true. Yesterday evening my husband was changing a taillight on the truck. I was standing at the gate watching him. I was thinking, "What would I do without you?"

He has been the solid base of our family - steady! I think God gives us these moments to bind us together in our hearts and thoughts.

Such a touching story!

[Falla39]

Oct.2, 1989, I sat next to the bed of my ill father. We eleven adult children were
taking turn spending the nights so Mom could get some rest. Up until a short time
before, she had taken care of Dad by herself. But the time for our help had come.

This date was their 52nd wedding anniversary and Dad was sitting on the opposite
side of the bed with a sheet draped around his shoulders. 4 a.m., Mom walked into
the room, sleepy eyed, as Dad spoke. "Happy Anniversary, Baby" and motioned for
her to come sit beside him on the bed. He draped the sheet around her, placing his
arm around her shoulders also. He repeated the words, "Happy Anniversary, Baby".
She laid her head on his shoulder as she added, her voice filled with emotion! "I just
hope He gives us many more years together. You mean so much to me". Suddenly
he raised his head from hers and grew very serious. "He may see fit to take me! If
He does, and slightly glanced back at me, as if I was being included. "Don't let your
faith waiver".

Twenty days later he slipped away. I almost felt like an intruder as I witnessed that
very intimate, touching scene. Yet I realize it was meant for me to be there.

Mom would follow ten years later and next year my husband and I will celebrate our
50th wedding anniversary. Seems like yesterday I witnessed that scene, yet it has
been 18 yrs. Sometimes I think of that early morning, Oct. 2, 1989, and I recall Dad's
words, "He may see fit to take me! If He does, don't let your faith waiver.

Dad and Mom didn't just tell we eleven how to live, They lived it out before us. Then
when it came their time to leave this world, they left us a good name, a good forward-
ing address and good memories. Precious memories! Some of them are flooding my soul
today!

Blessings,

Falla39

[RandyWayne]

A few months ago my wife was working at Madison's Hospice center. There was an older lady in her late 80's who had been admitted and had only days to live. Her husband came to visit (I am sure he came several times a day) and the two of them went out onto their private patio. About 15-20 minutes later one of the nurses came into check on her and found them both outside at their small table, holding hands, and dead. HE died of a heart attack (even though he gave no outward signs of discomfort) and she died of whatever it was that she was dying from.
People marveled at how peaceful they looked holding hands there, and how "calm" the room was, and how their seemed to be angels surrounding their bodied.
Not bad for a NON-apostolic couple!

But this, and a few other incidents, really stand out to the staff who work there.