A woman whose husband marched up and down the streets with a sign begging for a kidney donor has died aged 80.

Jimmie Sue Evans Swilling died in a hospice on Wednesday, her family said, because of complications surrounding Parkinson’s disease.

Her story went worldwide after husband William Larry Swilling Sr walked up and down one of the busiest streets in their city wearing a sign.

Hanging from his shoulders, and printed double sided, it read “Need Kidney 4 Wife” followed by a phone number.

People called from across the globe, including Jamaica, Germany and Switzerland, but it was Navy veteran Kelly Patrick in Virginia who fitted the bill.

Mr Patrick, who read the story via Yahoo! News, donated the kidney in September 2013.

“I like to say that it wasn’t my choice, it was meant to be. God intervened,” said Mr Patrick, speaking to The Independent Mail in the US.

“When I finished reading the story, I knew I was going to be a match. I predicted it.

“It saddens me that Jimmie Sue died, but I’m happy she was able to enjoy a few more years. I have no regrets, I never will.”