On Wednesday, July 30, Joel Osteen shared that his mother and cofounder of Lakewood Church in Houston, Dolores “Dodie” Osteen, died at the age of 91.
Dodie founded Lakewood Church alongside her husband, John, on Mother’s Day, May 10, 1959. With her husband, Dodie created and hosted the church’s weekly television program, which was broadcast to millions of people around the world.
John married Dodie on Sept. 17, 1954, after divorcing his first wife, Emma Jean Shaffer.
Dodie and John’s son, Joel, took over the pastorate in October 1999, following John’s death on Jan. 23, 1999.
“It is with a heavy heart that Victoria and I, along with our family, announce the passing of our cherished mother and grandmother, Dolores ‘Dodie’ Osteen,” Osteen posted on social media.
“She was the beloved matriarch of Lakewood Church, an inspiration to millions of people around the world, and a faithful servant of God,” wrote Osteen. “Known as ‘Mama Dodie’ to the entire Lakewood family, together, we celebrate her amazing life and lasting legacy.”
“She passed of natural causes, peacefully at her home. She was 91 years old,” Osteen added.
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Today, Lakewood Church is one of the largest churches in the U.S., boasting a weekly attendance of over 45,000. The church has met inside the former Houston Rockets arena since 2005. The auditorium seats 16,800.
In January 2024, Joel announced during a Sunday morning worship service that Lakewood Church had paid off a $100 million loan that was used to renovate the Rockets’ old arena.
