An elderly couple died holding hands last week after catching the highly infectious COVID-19 during their time on a cruise ship, their pastor said per the Metro.

After reportedly passing away just six minutes apart, the pastor paid tribute to Jerry Austin Williamson and Frances Jewel Bond Williamson's 50-year marriage during their live-streamed funeral. The virtual ceremony took place on Monday in Long Beach, Mississippi.

The pastor explained during the funeral that Mr. and Mrs. Williamson, both 72, loved going on cruises and were not aware of the seriousness of the outbreak at the time, per The Sun Herald. It is not yet known which cruise ship the couple were on when they caught the novel coronavirus.

The couple had two children, Delora Williamson Ingerson and Jerry Williamson II. Mrs. Williamson had reportedly worked as a phlebotomist, a medic who specializes in collecting blood samples from patients.

A US flag was draped over Jerry Williamson's casket to honor his longtime service in the United States Navy

Mourners were able to pay tribute to the couple on an online obituary, with one person writing, "A wonderful couple! They will be missed. My prayers and heartfelt thoughts to all family. They were good neighbors to us for several years."

Another mourner, who said she was Jerry's sister, wrote, "My brother was a wonderful loving person who loved and served God his family and many friends.  He would do anything for anyone who needed help. This is a nightmare that we cannot wake up from."

A friend of the couple shared, "We have lost two wonderful friends that will forever hold a special place in our hearts. I thank God for all the precious memories they have left us with.

"I pray that God will place His wounded hands on the wounded hearts of all their family and friends. We will think of them often and miss them badly but we have the promise that we will see them again. Rest in peace Frances and Jerry. We loved you so much."

We are urging all of our readers to adhere to the advice from their respective governments and medical bodies, and practice social distancing and self-isolation where required. Together, we will beat this...

An elderly couple died holding hands last week after catching the highly infectious COVID-19 during their time on a cruise ship, their pastor said per the Metro.

After reportedly passing away just six minutes apart, the pastor paid tribute to Jerry Austin Williamson and Frances Jewel Bond Williamson's 50-year marriage during their live-streamed funeral. The virtual ceremony took place on Monday in Long Beach, Mississippi.

The pastor explained during the funeral that Mr. and Mrs. Williamson, both 72, loved going on cruises and were not aware of the seriousness of the outbreak at the time, per The Sun Herald. It is not yet known which cruise ship the couple were on when they caught the novel coronavirus.

The couple had two children, Delora Williamson Ingerson and Jerry Williamson II. Mrs. Williamson had reportedly worked as a phlebotomist, a medic who specializes in collecting blood samples from patients.

A US flag was draped over Jerry Williamson's casket to honor his longtime service in the United States Navy

Mourners were able to pay tribute to the couple on an online obituary, with one person writing, "A wonderful couple! They will be missed. My prayers and heartfelt thoughts to all family. They were good neighbors to us for several years."

Another mourner, who said she was Jerry's sister, wrote, "My brother was a wonderful loving person who loved and served God his family and many friends.  He would do anything for anyone who needed help. This is a nightmare that we cannot wake up from."

A friend of the couple shared, "We have lost two wonderful friends that will forever hold a special place in our hearts. I thank God for all the precious memories they have left us with.

"I pray that God will place His wounded hands on the wounded hearts of all their family and friends. We will think of them often and miss them badly but we have the promise that we will see them again. Rest in peace Frances and Jerry. We loved you so much."

We are urging all of our readers to adhere to the advice from their respective governments and medical bodies, and practice social distancing and self-isolation where required. Together, we will beat this...