What was supposed to be a joyous day for a newlywed Omaha couple and their loved ones, ended as a tragic one after the groom suffered a fatal blood clot and died just an hour after their wedding ceremony.
According to KCCI-TV, Monday’s fatal incident occurred after Toraze and Johnnie Mae Davis stepped out to take pictures following their wedding ceremony. “It was the happiest day of Toraze’s life,” Johnnie Mae’s friend and ECO Supportive co-worker, Monica Miller, said.
“I could just see the smile on his face and how happy he was. And it’s just his energy. I just knew that he was just, it was a great day for him.” But tragedy struck after what was described as a beautiful wedding ceremony attended by the couple’s children, parents, friends, and other family members.
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“His heart stopped for the first time at 4:35, just an hour after the ceremony had begun,” Johnnie Mae’s friend, Jewel Roberson, recalled. “Toraze suffered from a medical event that was not survivable.”
Roberson said Toraze’s fatal medical emergency happened “in a second. It happened within seconds…Johnnie Mae has suffered through so much and she’s just such a loving person,” Roberson added.
The organization the grieving widow works for focuses on event organization and providing assistance to the elderly, as well as the disabled. “Some of the work that Johnnie Mae has done in the community through her own efforts include mentoring early entrepreneurs through the stages of business ownership and financial literacy,” Roberson told KCCI-TV.
“Johnnie Mae has dedicated her life to helping others, specifically aiming to protect the most vulnerable members. Johnnie Mae’s everyday life at ECO Living consists of managing the care network of support for the elderly and disabled.”
Miller also said: “At ECO Supportive Living, our motto is that we treat our clients like family. Johnnie Mae is a true living example of what that means. Johnny Mae Goes above and beyond for the elderly and disabled population that we serve. It doesn’t matter what time or how big the need is, Johnnie Mae is always willing to help. I’m asking that the community come together and Give back the same support she does continuously. I just really want the community and all of us to just support her in the same way that she does on a daily basis.”
A GoFundMe, as well as other donation drives, have since been set up to help raise funds for Johnnie Mae. “She’s been widowed and married in a 10-minute span. She’s going to need lawn services. She’s going to need snow removal when the winter comes,” Roberson said.
Tonja Ross, a nurse, and friend of Johnnie Mae, also said they hope this fatal incident highlights the importance of taking one’s health seriously. “Every second, minute you take it seriously. You try to keep your health together so you can have more happy times and your life won’t get cut short like this,” Ross stressed.
“Not all medical emergencies are preventable. However, some may be. Please learn from this tragedy and try to keep up with you and your family’s health by keeping your doctor updated on any concerns, signs, or symptoms and doing your yearly visits.
There are labs, tests, treatments, and procedures that could help determine what issues your body might be having. Also, be honest with your doctor – if you are not going to do the suggested treatment- let them know- there might be a different alternative that you may be willing to try. It is important to keep being active in your health, so your happiest day does not turn into the most devastating day of your life or your loved ones’ life,” Ross added.
