Houston, Texas — In a moment that has left the Lakewood Church family and countless believers around the world in mourning, it was announced today that Dolores “Mama Dodie” Osteen, beloved matriarch of Lakewood and mother of Pastor Joel Osteen, has gone home to be with the Lord.
The heartbreaking news came with a detail that has stirred deep emotion across the congregation: Mama Dodie’s very last act on earth was offering a prayer. It would be her final farewell, spoken not only to God, but to every life she had touched in her 91 remarkable years.
Just two days before her passing, Mama Dodie was seen in the sanctuary, still doing what she had done faithfully for decades — praying with individuals, speaking encouragement, and believing for miracles. Those present recall her radiant smile and the same gentle touch that had comforted thousands over the years.
“She lived and loved with all her heart right up until the end,” Joel Osteen shared. “My mother was a prayer warrior. Her greatest joy was lifting people up before God. That’s how she chose to leave this world — the same way she lived in it.”
The atmosphere at Lakewood has been a mix of sorrow and gratitude. Worshippers gathered in quiet reflection, lighting candles and sharing personal stories of answered prayers and moments of kindness that traced back to Mama Dodie’s unwavering faith. For many, her passing feels like the closing of a treasured chapter — yet her legacy remains deeply woven into the fabric of the church.
Known for her daily reading of healing scriptures, her small but powerful ministry of prayer cloths, and her habit of noticing those overlooked by others, Mama Dodie embodied a rare combination of humility and strength. Her life’s message was simple, but profound: “Love people, because people are hurting.”
As tributes pour in from around the world, Lakewood Church has announced that a Celebration of Life service will be held later this week, both in person and livestreamed for her extended family of faith across the globe.
In her final moments, Mama Dodie left no unfinished words. Her prayer, her smile, and her faith were the farewell of a woman who never stopped believing in the goodness of God — and in the power of love to change lives.
Even in her absence, her light will continue to shine through every soul she lifted, every scripture she spoke, and every prayer she prayed.