Stranger’s Divine Timing Saves Woman’s Life
A 77-year-old woman in Florida owes her life to the compassion and quick action of a stranger who came to her aid during a medical emergency. Joyce Long was on her way to a doctor’s appointment when she suddenly experienced cardiac arrest while driving on Normandy Boulevard. As her vehicle drifted into traffic, other drivers honked, unaware of the medical crisis she was experiencing. One passerby, however, sensed something was wrong and chose to act.
Retonia Watts, the woman who stepped in to help, noticed Long’s car slowly coming to a stop and felt prompted to pull over. Despite not knowing exactly how she could assist, she followed her instincts and approached the vehicle. When Watts asked Long if she was alright, Long replied “no” before losing consciousness. Watts immediately called 911 and began to pray over the elderly woman, offering words of comfort as they waited for emergency responders.
Paramedics arrived quickly and had to resuscitate Long multiple times using CPR and a defibrillator. Medical staff later described her survival as extraordinary. Jennifer Long, Joyce’s daughter, expressed deep gratitude for Watts’ selfless actions, especially after recently losing her own son. She acknowledged that without Watts’ intervention, the outcome could have been tragically different.
Watts shared that her motivation came from a personal loss—her sister’s husband had died from a medical emergency while in a vehicle, and she was reminded of that moment when she saw Long. She felt compelled to help, driven by faith and the memory of her own family’s pain. Her decision to act may have been the key factor in saving Long’s life.
Still recovering, Joyce Long later recorded a heartfelt message thanking Watts for her help. She expressed appreciation for the kindness shown in her moment of need and described Watts as a true blessing. In response, Watts humbly gave credit to God, saying she was simply grateful to have been in the right place at the right time and that no thanks were necessary.