You may recall when a grandmother in Mesa, Arizona accidentally exchanged text messages with a teenage boy which led their celebrating Thanksgiving as a group.
It’s been some time now since that first took place in 2016, and this year will mark the fifth holiday they’ll enjoy together, but someone very special will be missing from the table.
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Wanda Dench and her husband Lonnie Dench have opened their hearts and homes to Jamal Hinton, his girlfriend Mikaela, plus their families every year since she sent the accidental text, which was actually meant for her grandson.
Over the years, the foursome has remained close and continued to break bread in a new Thanksgiving tradition. Per AZFamily.com, each holiday would begin with Lonnie giving a prayer, followed by food and fun. He was always the first to greet everyone and the last to say goodbye. Unfortunately, Lonnie contracted coronavirus and just on Sunday, passed away.
On April 1, Jamal informed his Twitter followers that both Mr. and Mrs. Dench tested positive, writing:
“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 ???”
He gave an update on Wednesday evening to fill everyone in after the news had broke about Lonnie’s tragic passing:
“As some of you may have already found out tonight Lonnie did not make it… he passed away Sunday morning ? 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!??❤️”
“Also for those asking Wanda is not sick”
Hinton also encouraged his Arizona followers to take things more seriously, even tagging Governor Doug Ducey in his tweet:
“Arizona needs to handle this way better than it is! As we see Covid-19 is no joke. Let’s do something @dougducey #StopTheSpread”
Early Thursday morning, he tweeted out a sweet video featuring himself, Wanda, Lonnie, and Mikaela:
We miss you Lonnie???? pic.twitter.com/t9lXt31FLw
— Jamal Hinton (@kingjamal08) April 9, 2020
Gone too soon!!!
It was only on March 10 that reporter Briana Whitney received a text check-in from Wanda’s husband to let her know how he was delivering water to local grocery stores at night and that seeing photos from past Thanksgivings brought a smile to his face in a time of uncertainty.
As promised! Here’s our 2019 update ???? @mikaela_autumn pic.twitter.com/hHGZUXYzr3
— Jamal Hinton (@kingjamal08) November 29, 2019
Wanda shared these words with the publication (below) about her husband:
“He had the truest heart of love, like no other. He did so many acts of kindness that no one ever heard about. He was my hero. And I’m a better person because of him.”
It’s clear Dench leaves behind a community and family who truly loved him. Our thoughts go out to his family, friends, and loved ones at this difficult time.
[Image via 3TV & CBS5AZ.]
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