🕊️Rest in Peace!!! “Bringing Up Bates” Star Kelly Jo Bates just announced that her beloved mother, Betty Jo Smith, passed away at the age of 83.🙏
Bringing Up Bates star Kelly Jo Bates has shared devastating news with fans, announcing that her beloved mother has passed away following a sudden and severe illness.
According to Kelly Jo’s emotional statement, her mother was rushed to the emergency room on Saturday after contracting RSV. While the family initially hoped for recovery, her condition worsened rapidly, with her lungs deteriorating significantly by Monday night. In the early hours of the morning, surrounded by loved ones, she peacefully went to be with the Lord.
💔 “She always said she didn’t want to die alone,” Kelly Jo wrote, explaining that the family made sure she never was.
Surrounded by Love Until the End
In her final days, Kelly Jo’s mother was enveloped in love and comfort. All of her children, along with two siblings, gathered at her bedside. Despite her declining health, she remained responsive for much of the time—smiling, waving, blowing kisses, and squeezing hands.
One especially touching detail Kelly Jo shared was her mother’s request to keep music playing—music created by her grandchildren. The family filled the room with piano melodies and Scripture readings from Erin Bates’ new CD, along with worship songs from Lawson and Travis Bates’ albums.
A Devoted Mother and Joyful Grandmother
Kelly Jo described her mother as a woman who deeply loved her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, proudly bragging about them like any devoted grandmother. Her face would light up whenever they entered the room.
Beyond her nurturing heart, she was remembered for her fun, spunky, and outgoing personality. Kelly Jo fondly recalled moments when her mother would show up at church events or school gatherings dressed as a humorous character, sitting right in the middle of her friends—embarrassing her daughters but delighting everyone around her.
“She was such a hit with all my friends,” Kelly Jo shared, noting how much people adored her warmth and storytelling.
A Legacy of Wisdom and Sacrifice
Kelly Jo also reflected on her mother’s wisdom and guidance, crediting her with shaping her perspective on life and instilling values that will last forever. From heartfelt advice to cherished traditions—late-night card games, sacrifices made in love, and even the infamous tuna fish gravy—her memory lives on in countless shared moments.
Saying Goodbye, Holding On to Memories
The family endured a long, painful night, sitting together as her health faded and saying their goodbyes through tears. Later that evening, Kelly Jo and her sisters found comfort at the funeral home, hugging, smiling, and sharing stories, honoring the joy their mother brought into their lives.
🕊️ “There’s no way to tell how greatly she will be missed,” Kelly Jo concluded.
“You will be forever missed and forever loved.”
Fans of Bringing Up Bates have since flooded the family with prayers and condolences, honoring the life of a woman whose love, laughter, and faith left a lasting impact on everyone who knew her.
