RIMER, N.C. -- A group of family and friends held hands and prayed for strength in Terry Sifford's mother's living room Tuesday night. Sunday night, Sifford and his wife Mary were just minutes from their home in Rimer when another driver crossed the center line and plowed into them head-on.

Terry Sifford died Sunday.. Maryann died today. His brother Clarence Sifford says, "but it was something... they both went to heaven at the same time... pretty much so."

Clarence is struck by the irony of it because he says the couple was inseparable, remembering, "they were pretty much always together. You can't see one without the other."

There are signs the couple will be sorely missed, including a memorial at the Rimer Volunteer Fire Department where Terry was chief for almost a decade.

Assistant Fire Chief Bill Simmons says the Siffords dedicated their life to helping others. He says, "they just always had a lasting impact very much were influential ineverything they did. And were just loving, kind and giving people."

More than anything friends like Randy Buckwell say they wonder how their community will fill the void the Siffords have left behind. He says, "everybody I've talked to in our community, their stomachs are just in knots. Because it's just not going to be right in the Rimer community without Maryann and Terry."

Gary Metheny, the driver police say is responsible for the crash, is in the Cabarrus County Jail on a million dollars bond. He had his first court appearance Tuesday morning. His probable cause hearing is set for April 3rd.