Death in Natchitoches, Louisiana, is Scientific Evidence of How Mates Die Close Together

Dorothy Presley died two months ago. She was a Natchitoches Treasure 2007. Her husband died late last week, in early June, proving the scientific phenomenon of spouses dying close together is factual. The news story reminds us this is a world occurrence played out in a small Southern town

Cleveland Presley died at the age of 92. He was a servant to his church, community and his country, as he joined the military as a young man and served in the war. Those who spoke at his funeral said he was a kind and generous man with great affection for others. He had Alzheimers, however, which made it difficult for him to function on his own. He didn't even know his wife Dorothy had died two months ago and kept asking for her. Scientific studies tell us when an elderly person dies the spouse will die soon after. Religion declares God may simply call the person home because the deceased loved one has asked for the person to be with them.

At First Baptist North the church was crowded with friends and family in the African-American community of Natchitoches, Louisiana. I had attended Dorothy Presley's funeral in March. People mourned her death and have said they miss her. When Cleveland died, however, people said they didn't feel as said because of his Alzheimer's disease and the fact that his wife Dorothy had died just recently. She had been his caretaker, and after she died, Cleveland was cared for by his twin sons and others in the community. People at the church on Wednesday declared they were glad Cleveland and Dorothy were now together again just two months after separation.

The phenomenon of spouses at about the same time is something reported in many parts of the world. It has also been studied by science, as MSNBC reported last year. Science has substantiated what many people have privately observed. The rate of mortality spikes among grieving spouses not long after the death of a mate. 4000 couples were studied through the University of Glasgow over a number of years, and the research concluded the rate of death was about 30% of a spouse death during the first six months of the death of a partner. A study in Jerusalem found the risk of death was 50%.

Cleveland and Dorothy lived long lives, both dying in their 90's. It was big news in the African American community where they lived, and many of the leaders in the community were on hand to say goodbye to Cleveland Presley yesterday. What they marveled at, in addition to the beautiful service and wonderful singing, was the fact two people who loved each other greatly, and relied on one another for so many things, are now together in death. The scientific fact was proven once again in a small town in Natchitoches, Louisiana where the routine of death is magnified as both science and faith coming together when people die so close together in time.