A Texas couple who was married for 30 years died due to COVID-19 while holding hands with their children.
Paul Blackwell and Rose Mary Blackwell, 61 years old and 65 years old, died due to COVID-19 on Sunday while holding hands after spending two weeks in the ICU and many days on ventilators.
The married teachers
The Texas couple both taught in the Grand Prairie, Texas school district where Rose Mary was a teacher in second grade, marking her 20th year. On the other hand, Paul was a PE teacher as well as the coach of the school's football team.
Fighting the virus
Their son, Shawn Blackwell, said that their parents have worked at their jobs until they fell ill in December.
After spending many days on life support, doctors said that they would not recover. Later, the family decided to let their parents go and died due to COVID-19 while they were holding hands.
Shawn said that the doctors told them that they do not see any progress on their parents' case at all.
They also said that both of them were slowly declining in their overall vital functions. Shawn added that their parents' condition got to the point where their case was very far gone that there was nothing else they could do.
Letting go of the Texas couple
The couple's son also explained that it was his and his brother's decision to let their parents go and let them be at peace. Shawn shared their last moments with their parents.
He said that he and his brother were holding hands. They did this while they both removed their parents off of the ventilator.
Outpouring condolences
The Grand Prairie Independent School District also shared its condolences with the family as well as with the school community through Facebook. They said, "Rose Mary and Paul will be greatly missed. Our thoughts and prayers go out to their family, friends, coworkers, and students both current and former."
The proud children
Shawn said that he just wants people to know that he is proud of the people that his mom and dad were and proud of the things that they both have accomplished.
He added that their parents were the definition of the greatest parents and grandparents ever.
The Blackwell family are all very thankful for all the help from those people. They are also thankful for all the prayers, and are humbly asking to continue to pray for their parents and their family.
Raising funds
The family of the couple who died due to COVID-19 while holding hands set up a GoFundMe page to raise money for the Blackwell's funerals.
The family has raised $61,640 that they will use to take care of all the arrangements needed for their parents and their family. The couple left behind five children and 20 grandchildren.
Right now, the family's campaign to raise funds has already exceeded their GoFundMe page. However, for those people who would still like to continue to help their family during these trying times, they can also send their donations through Cash app ($Ironwolf91), Venmo (@BigWolf91), and to Zelle (682-288-0101).
