MOUNT VERNON, Texas (KLTV) – After spending more than seven decades together, an East Texas couple died within hours of each other due to natural causes.
Carol and Joanne Van Zandt of Mount Vernon were married for 73 years.
Family members said that though losing them both on the same day pains them, they’re at peace knowing neither Carol nor Joanne had to grieve the loss of one another.
“Til death do ‘em part. That’s just it. I mean, they literally couldn’t live without each other,” neighbor Haley English said.
“The beauty of their story overshadows any sadness,” Toni Van Zandt, daughter of Carol and Joanne, said.
After Carol died earlier this week, his wife Joanne passed away less than 12 hours later.
“I prayed all day that day: Please take her today,” Tina Dilday, daughter of Carol and Joanne, said.
“Leaving one behind would’ve been excruciatingly painful,” Van Zandt said.
“Nobody had to grieve the other, they don’t have to go through that grieving,” Dilday said.
The family said the morning Carol died, Joanne, who had been unresponsive, seemed to feel his absence.
“There were tears! That’s the first time she had shown any emotion since she’d been in the hospital bed,” Van Zandt said.
Married in 1953, Carol and Joanne went on to have three children, then earning the names Papa Carol and Momma Jo with five grandchildren, eleven great-grandkids and five great-great-grandchildren.
“There was no safer place than being snuggled up with Momma Jo,” grandson Leonard Heath Ray said.
“Mother was the feisty one always; dad was as calm as that water,” Van Zandt said.
“Pop was everything. He was superman,” Ray said.
“Our hero,” Dilday said.
The family said the duo’s partnership was the key to their bond.
“You always wanted to be like them. I wish I could be half,” Dilday said.
“They did everything together,” Ray said.
“Everything,” Dilday said.
“They were a team in that way,” Van Zandt said.
Neighbors of the Van Zandts say after nearly three-quarters of a century together, their hearts grew intertwined.
“She would always have her hand on him; they were very loving,” Tom Dorman, neighbor of the Van Zandts for 20 years said. “It was just a love story. Something somebody should write a book about. It’s something you don’t see anymore these days. People being together for that long.”
“Til death do ‘em part. That’s just it. I mean, they literally couldn’t live without each other,” neighbor Haley English said.
Papa Carol and Momma Jo’s relationship leaves behind not only an example, but also a way of life:
“Love one another as much as they did. Because you got to see it, and laugh and smile, and be happy that you’re there together every day. They loved each other wholeheartedly, with all their being,” Ray said.
Funeral services for the Van Zandts are set for Thursday at 2 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in Mount Pleasant.
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