Woman's Husband of 25 Years Dies Unexpectedly – Chills at His Last 3 Words

A woman who lost her husband two years ago, the day after Christmas, has shared his three dying words.

Though everyone would like to shuffle off this mortal coil with a few parting words of kindness or wisdom, the reality is that few, if any of us, speak any dying words before passing on.

This was highlighted in a 2021 linguistic analysis published in the journal Omega (Westport) in which Michael Erard examined the first-ever clinical study of dying, conducted by physician Sir William Osler at Johns Hopkins Hospital between 1900 and 1904.

Erard found that, of the 486 observed deaths, only 16 patients were reported to speak at all, and just four produced anything resembling intentional last words. Most deaths were described as quiet, or marked by confusion, delirium, or nonverbal behavior.

The reality is that the physiology of dying, whether it be fatigue, delirium or a lack of oxygen, limits speech near death. But that doesn't make the final words a loved one says before passing on any less profound.

Matisa Wilbon, sociologist, author and educator, still remembers the final words her husband Lawrence said before he passed away on December 26, 2024.

It has been over a year since he died, but Wilbon can still recall that day like it was yesterday. Just 24 hours earlier, they had enjoyed what would prove to be their last family Christmas Day together.

“I remember everything,” Wilbon told Newsweek. “Christmas was wonderful. We cooked and participated in a family Zoom. It was essentially a service. We read Scripture, and he gave his testimony. He had been sick in June and had an overnight stay in the hospital. He knew it could have been fatal so he talked about the importance of being thankful.”

That evening they had dinner with their two teenage children, her husband's twin sister Laverne as well as Laverne's son. A young woman from the church, who was spending the holidays away from her family, was also invited.

“My husband was an amazing storyteller and loved to hold court during dinner,” Wilbon said. “So he spent the entire evening reminiscing about how we met while we were in college at Ohio State, etc. It was a wonderful evening.”

The next day, Wilbon took the dog to the groomers in the morning, then returned home to find her husband washing the dishes. “I made us breakfast, and we sat in the living room and ate together,” she said. Everything was normal at first.

“Shortly after breakfast, he complained of a headache. That was not unusual. He had severe sinus headaches. But because I knew he had been dealing with blood pressure issues, I was concerned. I had bought him a Christmas gift that I thought would relieve his headache so I got it for him.”

What happened next is burned in Wilbon's memory. They were chatting about movies one minute and then the next Lawrence was holding his head and saying “Oh that hurt.” Next thing she knew he was slumped down in his favorite chair. She didn't know it at the time, but those would be the last words he ever spoke.

Wilbon “started calling his name.” When she got no response she called out to her eldest child, her son Deshawn, to help. He called 911 and performed CPR on his father until the paramedics arrived. By then her daughter was with them “holding onto our dog sobbing.”

Wilbon felt like she was “having an out of body experience” watching the paramedics trying to revive her husband. He was rushed to hospital, leaving Wilbon to follow in a car, calling Lawrence's sister, Laverne, on the way to tell her what had happened.

From the moment Wilbon arrived at the hospital, she got the clearest sign yet that bad news lay ahead. “When I told them the person for whom I came to see, the clerk said ‘The waiting room is full. We’d like you to come to this room,'” she said. “As she led the way, I knew it was because she wanted to give us privacy when they pronounced him dead.”

When the news finally came through, Wilbon was left with the heartbreaking task of informing friends and family that Lawrence had passed and funeral arrangements were made. “Calls were made,” she said. “To our church family. To my best friend. To my family. Members of my church came to be with us as we viewed his body. It was a whirlwind.”

More than a year on, Wilbon recalls how her husband “teased” her for having a bad memory. “That day will never be forgotten,” she said. “Not one single detail or moment.”

It is a date Wilbon continues to revisit and remember on social media, with posts shared to Threads and Instagram under the handler @matisawilbon. One post went viral, amassing more than 2.4 million views and over 60,000 likes on Threads. It read:

On 12/26/24 my husband of 25 years and I were on the couch deciding which movie we would watch. He turned toward me, held his head, and said, “Oh that hurt.” 30 seconds later, I was a widow.

“I shared my story for a couple reasons,” Wilbon said. “It lives with me everyday. I visualize it. I think about it. Those moments are etched into my mind forever.”

Something else happens when Wilbon shares her story. People share their own experiences too. That was what happened when she opened up about her husband's final words. Others shared too.

Lesley Gray Streeter commented on the post: “On July 29, 2015, my husband and I were making out in the wee hours and he stopped and said ‘Something's wrong,' Then his head started to shake and then he died. I am so sorry that happened to you.”

Renita Fisher wrote: “I am so sorry this happened to you. I was 21, 3mos into my marriage. My husband got up, went to the bathroom, perfectly healthy. Got back into bed, grabbed his chest. He was gone 2hr later. 30yrs later, it never makes sense how quickly life changes in a second. Sending you strength.”

Michal Malouf said: “So sorry. My husband and I were at a movie. I heard him snort and thought he had fallen asleep. They could not revive him, and I went home alone.”

Wilbon believes “sharing is healing” and would encourage others to do the same. “We don’t talk about death and dying enough.” she said. “That event changed the lives of my children and me.”

Her husband's final words may not have been profound, but they have had a profound effect on Wilbon and countless others.

2026 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.

This story was originally published April 18, 2026 at 3:30 AM.