Mandisa’s Friends, Family Celebrate Her Life: ‘Brought Such Joy’
By Movieguide® Contributor
Mandisa’s friends and family are honoring her life following the Grammy Award winner’s death earlier this month.
“She brought such joy to our family, to our lives that we’re just going to miss her every day,” her father, John Hundley, told News 2.
Movieguide® reported:
Grammy Award-winning Christian artist Mandisa died on Thursday, April 18, at her home in Nashville, Tennessee. She was 47 years old.
Her cause of death is unknown.
“We can confirm that yesterday Mandisa was found in her home deceased,” a rep for the singer toldPEOPLE. “At this time we do not know the cause of death or any further details. We ask for your prayers for her family and close knit circle of friends during this incredibly difficult time.”
On Saturday, Mandisa’s celebration of life service was held at Brentwood Baptist Church. Many of her coworkers, fellow band members, friends and family shared their memories of her.
“I have never known a more beautiful woman in every possible way than Mandisa,” said Beth Moore, who worked with Mandisa at Living Proof Ministries. “We are heartbroken. Our only consolation in this terrible loss is having gotten the privilege to serve with her so many times and love her deeply. We will love you forever, Mandisa.”
“Whatever she did, she did it with every molecule she had,” she added. “As it turned out, what Mandisa had asked of the Lord over and over again in the presence of many other witnesses, He did indeed grant. He took those shackles off her feet so she could dance.”
Her guitarist, Luke Sullivant, said, “Mandisa facilitated and grew a culture of healing, freedom, joy, passionate love for God and His word.”
Shortly after her death, he wrote on Instagram, “I don’t have many words yet…. but I can simply say that I worked for her, traveled the world together for a decade…… she was my sister for life and into eternity.”
Hundley expressed his gratitude for all who attended the celebration of life and for those who shared how Mandisa impacted them.
“I don’t really have words to express to really articulate what a wonderful feeling that is,” he said. “But just to know that our little Mandisa has grown up into this woman and who she became, yes, it is wonderful.”
While no official cause of death has been released yet, Hundley said that she “did not harm herself.” He explained that she had been weak after recovering from COVID-19 and “fell down in her bedroom.”
Movieguide® previously reported on Matthew West’s memories with the singer:
In Matthew West’s latest podcast episode, he reflected on his long-time friendship with fellow Christian artist Mandisa, who died earlier this month.
“At this particular moment in my story, there is sadness, and there is mourning over the loss of a dear friend, Mandisa,” West shared. “…My good friend Mandisa has gone on to be with Jesus. Myself and my family have been praying for her family. Just very saddened to hear the news…”
Last week, West posted on Instagram:
“I am so incredibly saddened to hear about the loss of my friend Mandisa. I will always cherish the memories of times we spent together hosting award shows, going on tour, and most of all helping her tell her story in the songwriting room. The first song she released after appearing on American Idol was a song we wrote called “Only the World” and the lyrics hit different right now
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