April 10, 2020, 04:59 PM
Wanda Dench struck up an unlikely friendship with a stranger, Jamal Hinton, after sending him an accidental text in 2016.
But things took an unfortunate turn, as Wanda's husband Lonnie passed away in the morning on Sunday, Apr. 5, Hinton tweeted.
Hinton added, however, that "all the love and support (Lonnie) was receiving put a huge smile on his face".
According to USA TODAY, the exact cause of Lonnie's death could not be confirmed by the local authorities.
Hinton said that Wanda and Lonnie had both gotten Covid-19 infections, as well as pneumonia, in a tweet on Apr. 2.
An unexpected but enduring friendship
Wanda's unexpected friendship with Hinton caused a stir on social media, starting off with this viral 2016 tweet:
Somebody grandma is coming in clutch this year!! Ayee!!! pic.twitter.com/QGrx83nHLl
— Jamal Hinton (@Jamalhinton12) November 15, 2016
How it all began
In November 2016, Hinton received an accidental text from Wanda.
The text, intended for her grandson, was an invitation for Thanksgiving dinner at her house.
Hinton, suspecting that the text came from his own grandmother, asked for confirmation in the form of a picture.
After Wanda obliged with a selfie, Hinton sent one back, with the message "You not my grandma", and a cheeky request to "still get a plate" of thanksgiving dinner.
Wanda obliged, saying that feeding everyone is what grandmothers do.
Hinton then posted screenshots of the heartwarming conversation, which went viral on twitter with over 46,000 retweets and 140,000 likes.
Hinton's updates continued to attract sustained interest, over the four consecutive years where their families continued to host each other at Thanksgiving get-togethers.
As promised! Here’s our 2019 update 🦃 @mikaela_autumn pic.twitter.com/hHGZUXYzr3
— Jamal Hinton (@Jamalhinton12) November 29, 2019
Hinton brings care package to Wanda in quarantine
Jamal Hinton and his girlfriend Mikaela dropping off a care package for Wanda. Screenshot from Jamal andMikaela on Youtube.
While Wanda remains in quarantine at home, Hinton and his girlfriend Mikaela have remained in touch with her.
They put together and delivered a care package, which included a lasagne, fresh groceries, and a compilation of video messages from their online followers, documenting the trip in a vlog uploaded on Apr. 9.
Wanda receiving a delivery from Jamal Hinton and his girlfriend Mikaela. Screenshot from Jamal andMikaela on Youtube.
According to the vlog, Wanda told the couple that it was "the first time she smiled in a really long time".
Bittersweet.
Top image via @kingjamal08 on Twitter
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