Grandma who mistakenly invited teen to Thanksgiving loses husband to COVID-19

A woman who became a viral sensation for mistakenly texting and inviting a teenager to her family’s Thanksgiving dinner is now experiencing a much more somber viral moment.

Lonnie Dench, the husband of the viral grandma, recently passed away due to COVID-19. He has become a viral topic Thursday with thousands of people sending out tributes to Dench and condolences to his internet-famous wife, Wanda.

Jamal Hinton, the teen who Wanda Dench accidentally texted, shared the news about both the Denches becoming ill with COVID-19 last week. Lonnie Dench had been hospitalized due to the virus, which has claimed the lives of thousands across the country.

Hinton invited his Twitter followers to send positive energy to the Denches as Lonnie Dench was fighting for his life.

“I am so sad to announce that Wanda and Lonnie both have COVID-19 and that Lonnie is currently in the hospital fighting both COVID and Pneumonia please send words of love and encouragement their way,” Hinton tweeted on April 1.

Hinton, who was 17 when he and Dench went viral, has become like family since the rogue text. Hinton has joined the family for Thanksgiving in the years since their first meeting in 2016. On Wednesday night, Hinton shared the news that Lonnie Dench lost his battle with COVID-19.

“As some of you may have already found out tonight Lonnie did not make it... he passed away Sunday morning,” Hinton revealed. “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.”

Several folks have posted tributes to Lonnie Dench, who reportedly died Sunday.

How the story began

Wanda Dench and Jamal Hinton’s story began with just a welcoming text message she intended for her grandchild around Thanksgiving Day 2016.

"Thanksgiving dinner is at my house on November 24th at 3PM,” read the text.

Hinton replied with a message asking who was the author of the text. He received a reply: “Your grandma.”

Hinton informed her, "You not my grandma."

"Can I still get a plate tho?” he asked.

From there, Wanda Dench, and ultimately her husband Lonnie, never backed down from that invitation. It became a standing date over the last four years between Hinton and the Dench family.

Their story continues to inspire connection and random acts of kindness even as Lonnie Dench’s life is memorialized Thursday.