Devonne’s Story – A Life of Faith, Strength and Gratitude

At 62 years old, Devonne has walked a road few could imagine—and by her own account, it’s only by God’s grace and the support of loved ones that she’s still on it.

Devonne became a Meals On Wheels client in 2014, during one of the darkest times in her life. She had just been diagnosed with breast cancer and was given only six months to live. As if that weren’t enough, during her cancer treatment, she suffered a heart attack followed by two back-to-back strokes. The strokes left her paralyzed, and she faced the enormous challenge of learning to walk all over again.

“I prayed through it all,” Devonne says. “Prayer is the only thing that got me through.”

Her battle didn’t end there. A few years later, Devonne had to undergo bladder surgery. During the procedure, her heart stopped—not once, but twice. Each time, surgeons were able to revive her, but she was warned never to undergo surgery again. Since then, she has continued to suffer TIAs (mini strokes) and has been diagnosed with a degenerative bone disease that causes her constant pain in her back and neck. She now takes 23 pills a day and lives with numbness in her left leg and foot.

Through every storm, Devonne has leaned on her faith—and on her devoted husband, Kenneth. Now 85, Kenneth and Devonne have been married for 26 years. “He’s my saving grace,” she says with a soft smile. “I could just look at him, and it would bring me out of the depression and despair.”

And right alongside her faith and family has been Meals On Wheels.

“Meals On Wheels has been such a blessing all these years,” Devonne shares. “I have trouble standing and cooking. It would get so depressing—and then someone would knock on the door and bring me a hot meal. I am so blessed.”

Last week, another blessing arrived—just in time for the scorching Texas summer. Thanks to our friends at TXU Energy and their Beat the Heat program, Devonne and Kenneth received a brand-new air conditioner. But when the installer arrived, he quickly discovered a bigger problem: the wall around the old unit was soaked, the sheetrock and insulation were saturated, and mold had taken hold. Meals On Wheels and TXU jumped into action. Not only was the new unit installed, but the contractor also replaced the damaged sheetrock and insulation, leaving the wall as good as new. Devonne laughed and said she was about to get a kiddie pool for the living room just to stay cool—but now, she and Kenneth no longer have to worry about mold and can enjoy the comfort of cool, clean air.

We are so grateful to TXU for teaming up with us to give Devonne and Kenneth a healthier, safer, and cooler home.

Devonne recalls praying years ago that she would live long enough to see her grandchildren graduate from high school. She was granted more time than she ever expected. “God let me see several of them graduate—but I still have two more. So I’m still here.”

Now, more than a decade after being told her time was almost up, Devonne lives each day in gratitude. “God is so good to me, and I just can’t thank Meals On Wheels and all the wonderful volunteers enough for what they’ve done for me. You’ve been here for me all these years, and I just don’t have words to tell you how much it means to me.”

Devonne’s story is one of unwavering faith, deep love, and quiet strength. And it’s a powerful reminder that behind every door is a story worth telling—and a life worth nourishing.