US Bride Says ‘I Do’ to the Love of Her Life, Unexpectedly Becomes a Widow within the Hour

• An Omaha bride lost her new husband an hour after they said their vows in the presence of their friends and family.
• The couple had planned to spend the rest of their lives together, but an unfortunate incident left the new bride grieving after her husband died.
• The bride's friends revealed what happened to the groom during the couple's photoshoot outside the wedding venue.

What was supposed to be the happiest day of a woman's life quickly turned into a nightmare when her new husband died an hour after saying their wedding vows. Still dressed in her bridal gown, the woman witnessed something that turned her life upside down.

The bride, Johnnie Mae Dennis, was all set to start a new chapter of her life with her husband, Toraze Dennis when the unthinkable happened. The couple was still at their wedding venue in Omaha, Nebraska, when the unfortunate incident occurred.

Losing one's partner is a tragic experience that most people find hard to forget because of the countless memories they made together. Sadly, Johnnie Mae did not get enough time to make memories as the wife of the person she loved the most.

Johnnie Mae and Toraze Dennis Loved Each Other

The couple invited their friends and family to celebrate their big day, unaware that things would take a turn for the worse. Everyone, including the couple's children, had gathered to watch them say their vows.

People knew Johnnie Mae for the work she had done for the people in her community. She was the director at ECO Supportive Living, a network that supported people with disabilities and older people. She had even mentored people in managing their entrepreneurial ventures.

"It doesn't matter what time or how big the need is, Johnnie Mae is always willing to help," Monica Miller, Johnnie Mae's friend and coworker, told KETV.

When the bride's friends saw Toraze at the wedding ceremony, they could see how happy he was. "It was the happiest day of Toraze's life," Miller said, adding that his smile was enough to tell how delighted he was.

Everyone gathered in the church where Johnnie Mae and Toraze tied the knot in the presence of a priest. Once they said "I do," their friends and family watched them happily kiss each other, unaware that their happiness would soon turn into sorrow. The bride's friend, Jewel Roberson, said:

"We were in the church, and it was a beautiful ceremony."

Johnnie Mae and Toraze wanted to spend the rest of their lives together with their kids. They had been waiting for their big day for a long time, mainly because the bride had recently lost two loved ones, including her father. After the ceremony ended, the couple exited the venue for their wedding photoshoot.

What Happened to Toraze Dennis?

As the couple happily posed for photos outside the wedding venue, Toraze's heart suddenly stopped beating. The 48-year-old groom suffered a medical condition that claimed his life within a few seconds. Roberson recalled:

"His heart stopped for the first time at 4:35, just an hour after the ceremony had begun."

Toraze experienced blood loss due to a blood clot, which quickly claimed his life. The fatal condition didn't allow his family and friends to take him to the hospital for treatment.

"She's been widowed and married in a 10-minute span," Roberson said, adding that her friend would need help to look after herself and the children. The horrifying tragedy left Johnnie Mae devastated, but her friends are trying their best to support her however they can.

Miller set up a GoFundMe page to raise funds for Toraze's funeral expenses and for Johnnie Mae and her children to make it through this challenging time of their lives. So far, the online fundraiser has collected over $21,900 through 625 donations.

"As you know, Johnnie Mae always helps others; this is our time to help her," Miller wrote in the description of the GoFundMe page. She aims to raise $100,000 to help her friend.

When netizens learned about the heartbreaking tragedy online, they couldn't help but post messages of support for the grieving widow. One Facebook user wrote, "This is so sad! I can't even imagine! My condolences!"

"I feel so sad for this family. May we ask God to wrap his arms around his bride and family with calmness and comfort during this horrific time," another netizen commented. Meanwhile, others extended their condolences and prayed for Johnnie Mae and her family.

Click here to read another story about a 34-year-old bride who died just a few hours after saying her wedding vows in South Carolina.