'Poetic and beautiful': Kenton County married couple, former teachers die 13 days apart

Beverly and Dwight Searcy weren't apart much during their 53 years as a couple.

The high school sweethearts grew up together, got their college degrees together, became teachers together, and owned a business together.

“And they passed away together, 13 days apart," Wade Searcy said of his parents. “As heartbroken as I am over it, I can’t help but recognize how poetic and beautiful that is.”

On Oct. 9, Dwight died at 74 after a battle with a heart condition. A heartbroken Beverly, 75, passed away Oct. 22.

The Atwood couple's claim to fame was their role as teachers at Simon Kenton High School. According to daughter Jeanne Block, it wasn't uncommon for graduates to proclaim them their favorite educators of all time.

It wasn't just their lessons students learned from. Block said their compassion and kindness – as well as a little humor sprinkled in – was a godsend for many kids who may not have had support like that at home.

In the Searcy house, there was no shortage of love to go around.

"Dad was very open with his heart. He was not a closed book," Block said. "He would tell you that he loved you every chance he got."

Devoted teachers were also devoted to each other

Dwight and Beverly married in 1969 after beginning their relationship in their teen years. They obtained their degrees from the University of Kentucky and found their love for educating at Simon Kenton High School, where Beverly taught home economics and Dwight taught social studies.

The pair were known for making education enjoyable for students. Dwight brought out his guitar in history class every chance he got to incorporate the old music from the time period they were learning about. Beverly was known for her killer recipes she shared in class but also a penchant for pranks.

They brought some flair to the classroom, but Wade said his parents took their jobs very seriously and loved being there for their students.

Sheila Crawford Baumgartner was in both of their classrooms while at Simon Kenton. She recalls how funny both were, how welcoming they were to students, their infectious smiles and laughs.

"(They were) very easygoing, nice, kind – even to the troublemakers of the class," she said. "We need more of that - trying to help the kids, not picking favorites."

Dwight never missed a home game for Simon Kenton's basketball team. He was a huge supporter when the school opened the court to girls, and extended the favor for their games, too.

It was after retirement when things started to change. Beverly struggled with myriad health issues that eventually left her disabled. Dwight stepped up to the plate to take care of her in their last five years.

"His devotion to my mom was incredible," Block said. "Through it all, he just took care of her – cooked, cleaned, did laundry, took care of house and yard, brought her a tray every day and would sit on the back porch and talk."

Dwight's death was rather sudden for the family. It was especially hard for Beverly, who had been in a nursing home since Dwight began receiving treatment for his own illness.

"But there was one thing she could not make it through, and that was losing my dad," Block said.

From colleagues to business co-owners, to parents and spouses, the two were a legendary team, according to Wade.

"It can be hard for people to want to be together always like that, but that’s how they were," he said.

A joint celebration of life in the couple's honor will be held at noon Friday at Hamilton-Stanley Funeral Home in Verona. Visitation will begin at 10 a.m. and continue until the time of the funeral.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Dwight and Beverly Searcy remembered as devoted teachers, parents