Dodie Osteen, the co-founder of Lakewood Church and mother to current pastor Joel Osteen, passed away at the age of 91.
Joel broke the news on Facebook, sharing that she died “peacefully at home” due to “natural causes” on Wednesday night.
“It was heartwarming to announce with my family that our precious mother and grandmother, Dolores ‘Dodi’ Osteen, has passed. She was a beloved figure and an inspiration for millions around the world, a faithful servant of God,” he wrote.
He added, “Together, we celebrate her incredible life and enduring legacy, known to the Lakewood family as ‘Mama Dody.'”
Dodie co-founded Lakewood with her husband John in 1959, a partnership that lasted until his passing in 1999. She had a powerful testimony about her healing from metastatic cancer in 1981, a diagnosis she received just 15 days before Christmas.
“When I found out, I was, naturally, devastated. It felt like the whole family was thrown into turmoil, especially as I was finally reaching a stage where I could enjoy life without small children to care for,” she recalled.
After leaving the hospital on December 11, Dodi and her husband prayed for healing together.
“On December 11th, John and I fell to our faces and prayed. He took authority over the cancer as the head of the house, and I now mark that day as the day I was healed,” she shared.
“I encourage anyone fighting a battle to set a date for their healing. When the devil tries to torment you at night, you can remind yourself that you were healed on that date,” she added.
“If I forget to say it each morning, I still believe God is working on my healing,” she explained. “John commanded that the cancer die.”
John also provided his account of her healing, expressing his faith in the miracle.
“I lifted Dodie from the bed; she weighed just 89 pounds. I took her home in a wheelchair. We prayed before the Lord and proclaimed His promise. I joyfully announce that Jesus Christ has healed Dodi,” he stated.
Dodie shared her healing journey in her books, including Cancer Cure and If My Heart Could Speak.
