Norfolk City Virginia USGenWeb Archives Obituaries.....McClease, Lucretia December 4, 1961
************************************************
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/va/vafiles.htm
************************************************

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Diane Renfrow dianel14@gmail.com August 6, 2018, 6:11 am

Norfolk  Journal and Guide, Dec 9,1961
Mrs. Lucretia McClease, 58, of 508 Ruffner street, died at her home Monday night 
while frantic efforts were being made by friends and neighbors to secure public 
transportation to take her to a hospital.

For fully an hour and 15 minutes, neighbors made anxious calls to the Norfolk 
Police Department, to the Fire Department and to the Community hospital  where 
Mrs. McClease had been undergoing treatment as a clinic patient.  Neither of 
these agencies or institutions was able to supply transportation for the victim 
who had suffered a second stroke.

Mrs. McClease suffered a seizure at about 8:15 and the first of three telephone 
calls was made to police headquarters requesting transportation.  Police 
personnel informed a neighbor that such service could be had only through 
authorization by the victim’s physician of by the Welfare Department.  The same 
reply was received in the other two calls to the Police Department.

A spokesman for the Fire Department also said that transportation service must 
be authorized.

Because of Mrs. McClease’s inability to sit up, taxicabs and or private cars 
could not be utilized.

Efforts to contact a private physician proved futile.  Community Hospital 
officials told inquiring neighbors, quite truthfully, that the hospital does not 
provide transportation service.

At 9 p.m., 75 minutes after she was stricken, Mrs. McClease died.

A few minutes later, after a call to the office of the State Medical Examiner, a 
medical inspector arrived at the McClease residence, formally announcing the 
woman dead.  Minutes later, police patrol cars arrived on the scene.  Even 
later,  attendants from a mortuary arrived and removed the body to the Medical 
Examiner’s offices where an autopsy revealed that death had been “of natural 
causes.”

A Journal and Guide inquiry into the case revealed several points:

The Police department cannot supply transportation for sick people without 
authorization from either a physician, the Welfare Department or the Social 
Service Bureau;
The Fire Department cannot supply transportation without authorization of 
doctors or the welfare agencies;
 The Fire Department is now providing transportation service for clinic patients 
at three local public hospitals with authority coming from the Social Service 
Bureau and Welfare department, and
 Police or Fire Department ambulances, without authorization, can provide 
transportation service in cases of on - the - street or other public 
emergencies.


It is not a case of public apathy, but rather one of “good sense” making 
authorizations necessary, Police Inspector Walker told the Guide.

Inspector Walker pointed out that police and other public personnel “must be 
careful” in removing sick people from their homes without authorization.  “In 
the case of a heart patient moving them could result in their death” he noted, 
saying that such a situation “would leave the Department holding the bag.”

The Fire Department now provides day - long transportation for hospital clinic 
patients if such service is needed.
……………. While this is a welcomed service, it has its drawbacks, according to C. 
J. Greene, administrator of Norfolk Community hospital.

Mr. Greene notes that, because of the large number of patients receiving the 
service and the small number of vehicles being utilized, it is often necessary 
for a patient to remain at the clinic long after treatment in order to secure 
return home service.

A study of the problem continued, relatives of Mrs. McClease were making 
arrangements for her funeral.  The rite will be held from Sunday at 2 p.m. with 
the Rev. James Moore, pastor, officiating.  Interment will be in Calvary 
Cemetery with Morning Glory Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

A native of Plymouth, NC, Mrs. McClease had lived in Norfolk 23 years.

Surviving are her husband, Ardis McClease;  a daughter, Mrs. Naomi Hargraves of 
Petersburg;  four sisters, Mrs. Ruth Johnson. Mrs. Vera Williams and Mrs. Inez 
Billups of Norfolk and Mrs. C. Woodson of Philadelphia;  three brothers, Rudolph 
Pettiford and Abraham Pettiford of Norfolk and Robert Pettiford of New York City 
and six grandchildren.


Additional Comments:
Calvary Cemetery

McCLEASE, LUCRETIA I26009 Section 27, Space 271, 12/10/1961

File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/va/norfolkcity/obits/m/mcclease15083gob.txt

This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/vafiles/

File size: 4.9 Kb