Texas Couple Married for 62 Years Passes Away While Holding Hands

[Revmitchell]

It's hard to find a love story as incredible as the one of Tom and Delma Ledbetter. In May 2017, the Lake Jackson, Texas couple held hands as they passed away in a hospice, just over one hour apart. The Ledbetter's granddaughter, Stephanie, snapped a folder of the two during their final hours together. That heartbreaking photo has quickly spread across the internet, drawing comparisons to the hit book and film The Notebook.

But the Ledbetter's story was no work of fiction. One of the couple's daughters told Click2Houston that they first got together after meeting through a mutual friend. They married just three weeks later.

Texas Couple Married for 62 Years Passes Away While Holding Hands

 

[tyndale1946]

It's hard to find a love story as incredible as the one of Tom and Delma Ledbetter. In May 2017, the Lake Jackson, Texas couple held hands as they passed away in a hospice, just over one hour apart. The Ledbetter's granddaughter, Stephanie, snapped a folder of the two during their final hours together. That heartbreaking photo has quickly spread across the internet, drawing comparisons to the hit book and film The Notebook.

But the Ledbetter's story was no work of fiction. One of the couple's daughters told Click2Houston that they first got together after meeting through a mutual friend. They married just three weeks later.

Texas Couple Married for 62 Years Passes Away While Holding Hands

See what you did Mitchell, you made me cry... But it was a good cry... Brother Glen

Now can I borrow your hankie to blow my nose?... I'll return it!

 

[Benjamin]

That heartbreaking photo has quickly spread across the internet, drawing comparisons to the hit book and film The Notebook.

But the Ledbetter's story was no work of fiction.

Actually, The Notebook was based on a true story. I often come across patients that are transitioning from being independent to assisted living. Too often one was taking care of the other but can no longer do it because they are also having issues leading to these couples being separated when moving into AL because one's needs are different from the other's. Some of them are very sad about that separation and I think healthcare facilities need to address this problem. I'll never forget a big old guy in the hospital that I was doing therapy with that in the middle of the session while talking about his wife be grabbed unto me and started bawling over the fact that his wife had to go to assisted living because he could no longer take care of her and how much he missed her. It totally broke my heart while at the same time I witnessed the deepest love for a spouse that I could imagine.

Over the years I've seen several old couples die within months of each and a couple die within weeks of each other and a couple more that without intervention that would died within days of their spouse dying. It sheds light on the meaning of 2 becoming 1 and makes you think how you can't just take 1/2 away and not expect the other 1/2 to closely follow - when they have that kind of bond.

 

[Wingman68]

My Mom passed just before she turned 89. Dad is now 93 & waits to go everyday. He refuses to get his pacemaker renewed, the battery is expired, & he quit taking all meds. He mainly sits in his chair now, waiting. He always took care of Mom & did all the shopping & food prep & tried to keep her mobile (a losing proposition). He is still sharp as a tack, & can remember people, places, & things that amaze me. A math wizard too. He can tell you to the board, & nail what you will need to complete a project, & don’t screw up because there won’t be any waste to fall back on. I have always been grateful to God that my parents never lost their mental acuity.