Thanksgiving Grandma's Husband Dies Of COVID-19
Lonnie Dench, the husband of Wanda Dench, better known online Thanksgiving Grandma online, died of COVID-19 on Sunday morning. Wanda is recovering from the virus.
The news comes from the Dench's "adopted" grandson Jamal Hinton, who went viral with Wanda in 2016m following an accidental invitation to Thanksgiving dinner. According to Wilton, Wanda is "not sick" and is recovering from her bout with the illness.
"As some of you may have already found out tonight Lonnie did not make it," tweeted Jamal. "He passed away Sunday morning๐ but Wanda told me all the love and support he was receiving put a huge smile on his face so I thank every single one of you guys for that!"
The story of Thanksgiving Grandma has become a viral heart-warmer over the last few years. After sending an invitation to Thanksgiving dinner to the wrong person, grandmother Wanda Dench invited Jamal Hinton, a total stranger, to her family meal.
The text created a yearly tradition in which the Internet checks in on this lovely pairing every November.
As promised! Hereโs our 2019 update ๐ฆ @mikaela_autumn pic.twitter.com/hHGZUXYzr3
โ Jamal Hinton (@kingjamal08) November 29, 2019
That relationship, like many around the world, took a heartbreaking turn on April 1st, when Hinton tweeted that Wanda and Lonnie were hospitalized with COVID-19 and pneumonia.
As some of you may have already found out tonight Lonnie did not make itโฆ he passed away Sunday morning๐ but Wanda told me all the love and support he was receiving put a huge smile on his face so I thank every single one of you guys for that!๐๐ฝโค๏ธ https://t.co/tNvals0FMh
โ Jamal Hinton (@kingjamal08) April 9, 2020
The news hit the Internet hard last night. Fans of this Thanksgiving pairing, have expressed their condolences, sending messages to Hinton on Twitter.
RIP Lonnie. Thanksgiving wonโt be the same without you. pic.twitter.com/GcSqvllGIi
โ Leroy (@ThatTrumpetGuy) April 9, 2020
๐๐๐ Deepest condolences to both of your families. Please continue to send Wanda EXTRA virtual hugs & love on behalf of allllllll us, during this incredibly difficult time. ๐๐๐๐
โ RissaRoyal๐ฆ๐ฏ๐ฒ๐ป (@RissaRoyal) April 9, 2020
I really hate to see this. I've been following your Holiday dinner stories with this family since they began. God made no mistake bringing you guys together. You all were family. And you'll be family for a lifetime. Prayers to you, your lady and Mrs. Wanda. RIP Mr. Lonnie โค
โ Juanya Moss (@JuanyaMoss) April 9, 2020
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HotPotato
I only learned about this couple recently, but still think this is fucking awful.
So sorry to hear about it.
In spite of some exceptions we might see here on this website (the ones who call the police on whom they find suspicious for nothing except their colour), to me they represent the majority of Americans who are so open, generous and hospitable.
It breaks my heart to realize that right now, they represent a new group in different and more unfortunate circumstances which is so unfair to how they live(d) their lives. Being somewhat of a recluse myself, I have little fear for my own health. But to think that outgoing and friendly people like them (perhaps a credit to their generation) are at high risk before they probably even knew it, breaks my heart. I hate that now one of them basically lost their life for living his life. Being hospitalized herself, I wonder if Wanda was even able to say goodbye to her husband.
I can't even fathom how someone can recover from that. Good luck, everyone.
Asura