A former longtime Rockdale couple just may be the most inspirational success story to come out of this world-wide coronavirus pandemic.
George and Chris Wall, both age 95, contracted COVID-19, were hospitalized more than two weeks, spent more time in rehabilitation, and are back in their home, survivors of a disease that preys on all ages but is especially deadly to the elderly.
George, a World War II Navy veteran who served on an aircraft carrier in the Pacific Theater, and Chris, his “bride of almost 70 years,” lived in Rockdale for 65 years, from 1953 until 2018 when they moved to a senior living facility in The Woodlands. George retired from Alcoa here in 1973, then worked 15 more years as an accountant with the state.
Their three children, who grew up in Rockdale but have long lived elsewhere, and their 9 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren, are celebrating their recovery. And so are countless friends in Rockdale and the congregation of St. John’s United Methodist Church which the Walls served faithfully for six decades.
Son George Wall Jr. and wife Martha live in Devine. Son Keith and wife Chrissie live in Huntsville. Daughter Diane Wall Galownia and husband Paul reside in Spring. Diane and Keith have been able to assist in their parents’ recovery at The Woodlands, although no family could visit them during their hospitalization and rehab.
POSITIVE—Their battle began April 2 when they told Diane they needed to go to the hospital. Diane called EMS and they were taken to Conroe Methodist Hospital where they tested positive for the corona virus. On April 4 they were transferred to Katy Methodist Hospital which had been set up to handle coronavirus patients.
“I was told on Day 1 by a doctor that they were not ventilator candidates, that it would not benefit them,” Diane said. “They were treated with hydroxychloroquine and 500mg Vitamin C twice a day. Doctors told me it was a ’time treatment’ and they would both recover. I wanted to believe it, but they both sounded so ill, and it was so tough not being able to see them and knowing they couldn’t see each other.”
On April 16, George received his second negative test result and was transferred to a rehab facility back in The Woodlands.
On April 18, Chris received her second negative test result and was sent to the same rehab facility. They were back together after likely the longest separation of their marriage, which will mark 70 years Aug. 26.
Finally, on April 30 they were able to return to their senior living apartment in The Woodlands. The complex had been determined to be virus-free.
“Through the power of prayer and medical science, they are doing well and their story provides us with faith that our lives will return to some sort of normal,” George Jr. said. He and Diane and Keith also note their parents’ resilience is not surprising, as they lived through the Great Depression and World War II.
“They deal courageously with what life brings,” they said. “We want to thank everyone, including their many Rockdale friends, for their prayers.”
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