Love 'til the very end - Elderly man dies while attempting to revive wife

'...nothing here mattered except their salvation and their faith in Jesus.'

Johnny Hatley discovered his wife of 31 years on the floor of their home in Stanly County, North Carolina on Sunday.

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - Teresa Ann Brooks Hatley was unresponsive, prompting her frightened husband to attempt CPR.

According to Stanly News and Press, first responders believe Teresa was already gone when her husband discovered her body.

As Johnny worked to save the love of his life, he suffered a heart attack and passed away.

Lisa Hammill, of of the Hatley's daughters, shared: "Obviously he could not live without her."

Shelly Palmer, the Hatley's other daughter, explained the family was shocked and is mourning the sudden loss of both parents, but admitted: "Lisa and I are at peace knowing, without a doubt, that our parents are together in heaven."

The Hatley's were known for their faith, love for their family and their dedication to the community.

Shelly elaborated: "It was important that their children and their grandchildren knew that there was more to life than material things. And that nothing, nothing here mattered except their salvation and their faith in Jesus."

The Hatley's were the owners of Fast Stop Food Stores of New London and many remember the couple for their generosity.

"I don't think Johnny ever turned anybody away," Lisa said, noting regular shoppers felt like the Hatleys were more family than anything else.

Shelly added, "Often times it's not even called Fast Shop, it's called Johnny's."

Johnny often stocked the shelves of the store with items he believed would best benefit the community and worked as a team while tending to Fast Stop and David, their special needs son.

"Anybody who comes in the store knew...at Christmas Johnny bought candy and toys and everything that looked like Christmas, he ordered way too much," Shelly said.

"It's just what they did. They made it work, whatever the circumstances or obstacle."

Lisa and Shelly thanked the New London community for the influx of prayers and support during their time of loss and announced Fast Stop would remain open this week, with the exception of Thursday, when the Hatley's funeral will be conducted.

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