LSU college sweethearts die days apart from the coronavirus after 64 years of marriage

quote:

---

In fall of 1955, Martin Shepherd III and Amy Dunaway began their freshman year at Louisiana State University. Months later they eloped, despite their parents’ disapproval: He was a New Orleans Catholic, she a Baton Rouge Baptist. Sixty-four years later, the couple died days apart from each other following coronavirus complications at separate Baton Rouge hospitals.

Now, their children are struggling to reconcile the loss of both parents, who they say were inseparable — both in life and in death.

---

quote:

---

In January of 1956, the two had a quick courthouse wedding, dropped out of college and moved into a tiny apartment together, with “barely 50 bucks between them,” according to their children. “They were poor as church mice,” Marcie said. “And equally blessed.” Martin worked at a furniture store for a time before opening his own furniture business on Plank Road. He later took on the role of an independent insurance broker.

As for Amy Dunaway Shepherd, she first stayed home with their four children when they were small, but later embarked on a successful career in both interior decorating and real estate.

---