Separated by COVID-19: Couple married 80 years reunited in hospital
LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) - Sterman Young and his wife Virgie have been married for more than 80 years. The couple from Post, Texas both were diagnosed with COVID-19 and have been separated since. After many days apart, they were reunited thanks to the team at Covenant Health.
Sterman, who is a patient at Covenant, has been in the hospital for 10 days. Virgie is not a patient there but was able to see her husband for the first time since they both became sick.
Sterman, who is 100 years old, is a World War II veteran. He and Virgie, 96, lived on neighboring farms in north Texas when they were young. They eloped on July 3, 1941. They settled in Post in 1947. They had three children and now have grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Five years ago, the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas Legislature issued a resolution congratulating the couple on their 75th wedding anniversary.
The resolution states Young enjoyed a successful career in the Texas oilfields. Virgie worked at the Postex Cotton Mill and as a bookkeeper for several businesses. They also love to travel in their Airstream. He loves to fish and woodwork. She loves to crochet, sew, quilt and ceramics.
“WHEREAS, While much has changed in the world over the past 75 years, this devoted husband and wife have remained constant in their commitment to each other, and the strength of their love has enabled them to meet life‘s challenges and opportunities with grace and optimism,” the resolution from five years ago stated.
Their advice now is to love each other and stick to “till death do us part” forever.
There is no word on how long Sterman will be in the hospital, but the fact the loving couple is well enough for an in-person visit is very good news.
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