Couple Married For 61 Years Dies While Holding Hands

A North Carolina family is in mourning after losing two important members last weekend to the coronavirus. Sherwood Lee Pope, 82, and Doris Knox Pope, 78, had been married for 61 years and lived in Coats. Though they were both sick with COVID-19, they were together through the end, passing away while still holding hands.

Shelton Pope, one of the couple's three sons, said his parents, who both had previous medical conditions, started getting sick after Thanksgiving.

"Mom didn't really want to go to the hospital," said Shelton. "[She] figured she could do it on her own."

They eventually did go to UNC Rex Hospital, where they stayed for a week before passing away. Sherwood and Doris were originally split up in separate rooms. As they became more ill, however, the hospital allowed them to share a room.

"They agreed to put them in the same room to be beside each other so they could hold hands and just be with each other," said Shelton. "They were holding hands when they left this world and went to the pearly gates. He left shortly before she did."

According to WRAL, Sherwood was a retired maintenance man with the North Carolina State Highway Patrol and Doris was retired from furniture upholstery. Funeral services for the couple were held Thursday (December 17) at Benson Grove Baptist Church. Condolences can be sent to the family here.

Photo: Getty Images