Woman became a widow in her 90s after her husband of 70 years passed away — 9 hours later, their story took a heartbreaking turn
While most couples take "till death do us part" as a promise, hoping they never experience such a moment, one Tennessee couple lived it so fully that even death couldn't separate them. When 94-year-old Alice Trice's husband John took his final breath at 93, the family was devastated. However, nine hours later, it took another heartbreaking turn. Reported by WSMV on April 8, 2026, the couple's story now holds a special place in the hearts of their loved ones.
A Middle Tennessee couple, John and Alice Trice, were married for 70 years and lived 60 years in Wilson County. Unfortunately, John took his last breath at 1 p.m. in their home; however, nine hours later, Alice too passed away, following her husband in death on April 2, 2026. Their daughter Angela noted that for those who knew them, they were inseparable; always a couple and never two individuals. "Truly, one of them would not have wanted to live without the other, and they didn't have to," she said.
John and Alice's love story began at a square dance at Green Hill's club. John was born in Lebanon, and Alice grew up in Mt. Juliet. They were the founders of the Wilson County Fair in 1979, with John serving as the first president of the fair. Interestingly, the fair also named the road after John, and the signboard stands right in front of the fairgrounds as visitors arrive at Fiddler's Grove and the agricultural site.
According to his daughter, the fair meant everything to her dad. "He truly wanted to make it a better place, and I believe they both left it better than they found it." When the couple passed away within hours of each other, nobody was surprised, as the couple was truly inseparable. Randall Clemons, the current fair president, said that the couple always gave back to the community. When asked what the secret of the love was, daughter Angela said that her dad always wanted to put God first and be there for each other.
According to a report from The Guardian, the death of a spouse can cause immense pain in individuals, which can lead to broken heart syndrome. The emotional strain of losing a partner can lead to various physical health issues. When the grief is sudden and intense, such as after a spouse's death, it can become severe enough to affect the heart.
"But even without the direct heart damage, the physical and emotional consequences of severe grief can take a serious toll on the body," it noted. The report states that the longevity of their union is cited as a sign of commitment and love for each other. While the death of couples seems tragic, the death of John and his wife Alice brings a bittersweet feeling of a couple whose love did not end, even when life does.