Big Daddy Weave bassist Jay Weaver died on January 2, at age 42 after bout with Covid-19. Weaver spoke and sung of God’s faithfulness during two decades of health struggles. His brother and the band’s frontman Mike Weaver announced that “those prayers for healing can turn into prayers for thanksgiving now that Jay is in God’s presence. Anyone who came in contact with him knows how real his faith in Jesus was. I believe that even though COVID may have taken his last breath, Jesus was right there to catch him.”
Queen Elizabeth II, the longest-reigning monarch in British history, died at the age of 96. On September 8. Throughout the course of her unprecedented reign, Queen Elizabeth II spoke frequently about her personal Christian faith. Delivering her first Christmas Address in 1952, a tradition started by her grandfather, King George V, the Queen requested prayer for her upcoming coronation.
Andrew van der Bijl, best known by Christians worldwide as Brother Andrew, passed away on September 27 at 94. Brother Andrew, the founder of the Christian persecution watchdog Open Doors, is best remembered for smuggling copies of the Bible into communist countries. His efforts earned him the moniker “God’s Smuggler.” According to Christianity Today, Brother Andrew reportedly smuggled millions of Bibles into Poland, Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia, East Germany, Bulgaria, and other Soviet-bloc countries.
The Pope Emeritus, Benedict XVI, passed away on Saturday, December 31, 2022, in Vatican City at age 95. Reports share that he lost a quick battle with sudden declining health. Though deemed by most as a traditional, conservative leader and theologian, he is known for his shocking resignation as pope within the Catholic church on February 11, 2013. The St. Louis Post-Dispath notes that Pope Benedict XVI was the first pontiff in nearly 600 years of Catholic leadership, breaking the traditional custom that the pope remain in his leadership role until his death.
Other notable deaths and their age: Sidney Poitier (94), Meat Loaf (74), Sally Kellerman ( 84), William Hurt (71), Naomi Judd ( 76), Ray Liotta ( 67), James Caan ( 82), Bill Russell ( 88), Olivia Newton-John ( 73), Loretta Lynn ( 90), Angela Lansbury (96), Jerry Lee Lewis (87), Kirstie Alley ( 71), Franco Harris ( 72), and Barbara Walters ( 93). Pele (82).