SHELBYVILLE, Ky. — A Shelbyville woman lost her mother-in-law and her husband to COVID-19, all while battling it herself. She says she is now sharing her story, hoping it inspires others to take the virus seriously. 


What You Need To Know

  • Tammy Clark is recovering from COVID-19

  • She lost her mother-in-law and husband to the virus

  • She was not vaccinated at the time

  • She encourages others to get the vaccine to avoid the pain she has been through

So many families have painful stories about losing loved ones to COVID-19. For the Clark family of Shelbyville, August was a devastating month.

Tammy Clark said her and her husband were not feeling well for a bit, but thought it may be allergies. It turned out to be COVID-19, and several members of the family came down with it.

Verna Clark lost her fight with COVID-19 (Tammy Clark)

Tammy's mother-in-law, Verna Clark, was the first to head to the hospital. Soon after, Tammy and her husband, Carl Clark, were admitted as well. In that time, Verna lost her battle with COVID-19.

“I couldn’t even be there at my mother-in-law’s funeral," Tammy said.

She was in the hospital fighting for her life during that funeral. So was her husband. They were near each other, and had the same doctor, but they were isolated.

“I was in one room and he was in the other. We never got to see each other," Tammy said. "I did get a few things texted to him. I told him we were going to walk out of here together, but we didn't."

Tammy and Carl Clark. Carl and his mother died shortly after entering the hospital with COVID-19. Tammy also had COVID-19, she recovered and says she wishes she would have gotten the vaccine. (Tammy Clark)

Carl died from COVID-19 complications soon after they were admitted to the hospital. It was shocking news for an already grieving family.

“I don’t know what my kids would have done if I had passed away. I mean, the day they were their grandmothers’ funeral when they got the call that their daddy passed away," Tammy said.

After about a week on a ventilator, Tammy started to recover, eventually being released from the UofL Health Shelbyville Hospital. While she is now at home, she is not back to 100%.

“Right now I am still on oxygen. I am still weak," Tammy said.

She was not vaccinated. Neither was her mother-in-law. Her husband had received one of two doses, but did also have underlying health conditions.

Looking at what unfolded, Tammy said she wishes she could go back in time to get her vaccine. She worries she may have been the one who gave COVID-19 to them.

"It will always be in the back of my mind. If I had gotten my shot, my mother-in-law would be alive. So would my husband," Tammy said.

When asked why she didn't get the vaccine back then, she said she was scared because of misinformation she read on social media. 

Since she still has lingering symptoms, her doctors have encouraged her to wait to get her COVID-19 vaccine. She said she will be rolling up her sleeve as soon as she gets the green light to do so.