North Carolina Couple Passes Away Minutes Apart While Holding Hands

A Rowan County couple died last week just four minutes apart as they held hands. Johnny Lee Peoples, 67, and Cathy Darlene Peoples, 65, passed away from complications stemming from COVID-19.

"They were married 48 years, been together 50, they walked hand in hand for those 50 years," said their son Shane Peoples.

It started a little over a month ago, WBTV reported, when Cathy began to feel sick just days before her retirement. Two weeks later and both she and her husband were in the ICU. As their conditions worsened, Shane said the hospital staff did what they could to bring them together.

"The next day they put them in the same room, same ICU room, they put their hands together, the nurses gathered around and they passed within four minutes of each other," he said.

A socially distanced funeral was held for the Peoples on Wednesday to celebrate their life and their love. Shane told WFMY News that he wants everyone to understand how serious COVID-19 can be and the impact it can have on families.

"I just don't want anyone else to get hurt," Shane said. "I don't want anyone to feel the grief that we're feeling."

Photo: Getty Images