'Bringing Up Bates' Family Suffers Devastating Death

Sad Bringing Up Bates news broke early this morning as fans learned the Bates family suffered a devastating death over the weekend.

Several members of the Bringing Up Bates family let everyone know on various social media profiles they would be making a somber trip to Honea Path, South Carolina to lay a loved one to rest. A screenshot breaking the news of the tragic death within the family and plans to travel to South Carolina for the funeral got shared on the Reddit community dedicated to the former UPtv family early this morning.

Unfortunately, the screenshot didn’t give away many details on the death noting it was an “uncle” that passed away. Fortunately, further down in the thread, Bringing Up Bates fans proceeded to deep dive and shed some light on which member of the family passed away. With the identity of this Bates family member revealed Tv Shows Ace was able to dig up the name of the deceased family member and shed some more light on what happened.

Bringing Up Bates Family Suffers Devastating Death

An obituary was published on the Parker-White Funeral Home’s website late last night for the late Thomas Craig Fleming. Married to Jenifer Bates Fleming, the obituary confirms Thomas passed away at the age of 55. He died on April 1st, 2023 at the AnMed Health Center. Now, Bringing Up Bates fans who aren’t well-versed on the Bates’ family tree might be wondering how exactly Thomas was related to the former reality TV family.

Per fan chatter (confirmed by the obituary), Thomas Craig Fleming is Gil’s brother-in-law.

Per his obituary, he is survived by “his wife Jenifer, sister, Lisa Howell (Russ), niece, Danielle Allen (Candace), father and mother-in-law, Bill and Jane Bates, brother-in-law Gil Bates (Kelly Jo), and brother-in-law Greg Bates (Casey), and 36 nieces and nephews, and 28 great-nieces and great-nephews.”

Craig Fleming - Parker White Pruitt Funeral Home — Craig Fleming – Parker White & Pruitt Funeral Home

His obituary reveals he enjoyed his job as a manager at a CVS Pharmacy located in Belton and that he “greeted every visitor to the store with a smile.” Prior to his passing, Thomas Craig Fleming was a man who enjoyed spending time on the beach and feeling the heat of the sun on his skin. Thomas was a man that could often be found on the dance floor with his wife Jenifer.

He also was an avid music fan, and turned that love into a part time passion as a DJ at beach gatherings, weddings, reunions, and special occasions. He also enjoyed watching the Gamecocks play and collected memorabilia from his favorite team.”

His celebration of life is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, April 4, 2023, at the Trinity United Methodist Church.

Rest in peace, Thomas Craig Fleming. Fans’ thoughts and prayers are with the Bringing Up Bates family during this tragic time.