What should have been the happiest day of an Omaha couple’s life ended up being the groom’s last.
Toraze Davis, 48, had only been married to Johnnie Mae Davis for an hour when his heart stopped beating on Monday afternoon, due to a blood clot, KCCI-TV reports.
“Toraze suffered from a medical event that was not survivable,” Jewel Roberson, a friend of the bride, told the outlet. “It happened within seconds.”
The day, which also marked Juneteenth and the birthday of the bride’s grandmother, started out with so much promise for the couple and their loved ones who came to support them, including the Davis’ children.
“It was the happiest day of Toraze’s life,” Johnnie Mae’s friend and co-worker Monica Miller told the outlet. “I could just see the smile on his face and how happy he was.”
The tragedy — which unfolded as the couple went to take photos after the ceremony — proved tenfold following the recent death of Johnnie Mae’s father.
“Johnnie Mae has suffered through so much and she’s just such a loving person,” said Roberson. “She’s been widowed and married in a 10-minute span.”
A GoFundMe has now been established for the bereaved bride, who works as a director at ECO Supportive Living, which supports elderly and disabled clients.
“Johnnie Mae always helps others,” reads the fundraiser, which has a goal of $10,000 intended for funeral expenses. “This is our time to help her.”