Dolores Ann Osteen, affectionately known as "Dodie," was born October 22,1933 and passed away peacefully in her Houston home on July 30, 2025 at the age of 91. The only daughter of Roy Vernon Pilgrim and Georgia Lee Case Pilgrim, she grew up in Baytown, Texas, graduating from Baytown Lee High School and the Lilly Jolly School of Nursing in downtown Houston. Dodie Osteen is best known for co-founding Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas in 1959 along with her husband, the late Pastor John Osteen, and as the mother of Lakewood Church senior pastor, Joel Osteen.

In addition, she is the author of three books: Healed of Cancer, a chronicle of her miraculous healing from metastatic liver cancer in 1981 when she was 48 years old, Choosing Life One Day at a Time, a 365-day devotional, and If My Heart Could Talk, a memoir of her life. Her books are translated into multiple languages and continue to be sold worldwide.

Dodie was well known and highly respected throughout the world in both the Christian and secular communities. Her compassion for others was unconditional and she was esteemed by government, business, and non-profit leaders, as well as journalists, athletes, and people from various faiths.

Throughout her life, Dodie Osteen served as a mentor to millions around the world, and as an encourager to anyone in need. A selfless servant of Jesus Christ and a woman of uncommon faith, she has passed down a legacy of courage and faith that will continue to inspire generations to come.

Dodie, a beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, is survived by her five children, Paul Osteen, MD and his wife Jennifer, Lisa Osteen Comes and her husband Kevin, Tamara Osteen Graff and her husband Pastor Jim Graff, Pastor Joel Osteen and his wife Victoria, and April Osteen Simons; and nineteen grandchildren and ten great grandchildren.

Join us for a special memorial service celebrating Dodie's life and honoring her extraordinary legacy.

Friday, August 8th at 7PM CT (parking opens at 6PM CT) Lakewood Church

In lieu of flowers, the family invites you to honor Dodie's memory with a gift to Lakewood Missions https://www.lakewoodchurch.com/ministries/missions

Thank you for continuing her legacy of love and compassion.