Joel Osteen’s Final Goodbye to His Mother
It was a night Houston will never forget. At Lakewood Church, thousands gathered under one roof and countless more tuned in online to celebrate the remarkable life of Dolores “Mama Dodie” Osteen. Her influence had stretched far beyond the church walls, touching millions around the world through faith, prayer, and compassion.
The Friday evening memorial was filled with everything she stood for — unwavering hope, joyful worship, and heartfelt testimonies from those forever changed by her kindness. For those unable to attend, Lakewood streamed the service worldwide, ensuring her farewell reached every life she had inspired.
Then came a moment that stunned the congregation. Joel Osteen, known for his calm, encouraging presence, paused, his voice trembling as he shared his final conversation with his mother. Tears flowed as he spoke, offering a poignant reminder that time with loved ones is our most precious treasure.
“My mom lived an amazing 91 years,” he began. “Two days before she passed, she was right here, praying for people. She lived a vibrant life.” He called her a lady of powerful prayer who believed God could do miracles. She loved to reach out, to touch others, and to pour her heart into everyone she met.
A video from 2012 played, showing Dodie saying: “I’m so thankful that Jesus let me live… I wanted to live into my 90s.” Joel smiled through tears. “God gave her the desires of her heart.”
Victoria Osteen followed, speaking of a mother-in-law who became a second mother. “Very small in stature, but a force to be reckoned with,” she said. Victoria revealed one of Dodie’s most personal ministries — her prayer cloths. Small pieces of fabric, prayed over and sent to those in need, carried her faith and love across the globe.
The most intimate tribute came from Dodie’s grandchildren, Jonathan and Alexandra. They spoke of her list of healing scriptures — her “medicine” — read every single night for more than 50 years:
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Psalm 118: I shall live and not die and declare the works of the Lord.
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Isaiah 53: By His stripes we are healed.
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James 5: The prayer of faith will restore the sick.
“These weren’t just verses,” Jonathan said. “They were the foundation of her life.” The grandchildren turned those scriptures into a song, a melody born from decades of prayer.
Even at 90, Dodie’s guiding principle remained simple but profound: “Love people because people are hurting.” She once told her husband, “I can’t sing, I can’t play piano, I can’t preach. But I can love people.”
As the night drew to a close, Joel’s voice broke once more: “Mama, good night. I love you, too.”
In those final words, she left one last sermon — love deeply, live faithfully, and never leave words of kindness unspoken. For 91 years, Mama Dodie spent her love lavishly, and the world is richer for it.