Georgia Father Dies Days After Giving His Daughter Away At Wedding

Candice Hammonds and Thomas Burkett were originally planning on an October wedding, however, after Candice’s father’s health deteriorated, the couple moved the date up. Candice’s father, Steve, was able to give his daughter away days before he passed away.

“People started pulling things together to make this wedding take place in 24 hours,” Teresa, Hammonds’ mother said, according to PEOPLE.

When the couple decided to change the date of their wedding, the staff at Upon Regional Medical Center in Thomaston, Georgia, was able to help create a beautiful bedside wedding for the couple. The couple was wed at Steve’s beside in an OutPatient surgery area.

“Every girl dreams of her daddy walking her down the aisle and giving her hand away. Given the circumstances, Candice’s daddy was still able to do just that!” Photographer, Julie York said.

When the pastor asked who was giving Candice away, Steve raised his hand, unable to speak. Doctors suspended his necessary sedative so he could be awake and alert during the ceremony. He then watched from his bed as his daughter, dressed in a beautiful gown, married her husband.

“It was the last gift he could give his little girl,” Teresa said.

Steve passed away two days later.

This article first appeared on Womanista.com