GEORGIA, United States -                            A couple who were married for 71 years have reportedly died within 12 hours of each other on the same day.

The old couple, Herbert and Marilyn Frances DeLaigle got married in the 1940s, they had six children and lived in Georgia, United States.

According to a post on the DeLoach-McKerley-Prescott Funeral Home's website: “Mrs DeLaigle was married to Mr Herbert DeLaigle for 71 years who entered into rest 12 hours prior to her.”

The obituary notice said: “Her children said that she was a very devoted mother when their father had to be gone for months at a time.”

It is thought that Mr DeLaigle died first at around 2.20am on Friday, with his widow passing away 12 hours later.

It further revealed that the couple spent six years living in Germany while the husband served in the Army and “lived in many States during his 20 years in the service,” according to Mrs DeLaigle’s obituary.

She was also a Cub Scout leader, a former flower shop owner and was an animal lover.

The couple had 16 grandchildren, 25 great grandchildren and three great grandchildren.