Ree Drummond is mourning the loss of her big brother, Michael. Drummond’s sister Betsy announced his death on social media Tuesday saying that the 50-year-old passed away over the weekend.
“We lost Michael, my sweet and wonderful brother, this last weekend. He was one of a kind, and he will be missed by so many people who loved him. I’m very thankful for his life, the connections he made and his caring, fun and independent spirit. Love you forever, Mikey,” Betsy Smith wrote.
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Ree Drummond paid tribute to her brother Wednesday with a series of photos and a post that read:
“It isn’t possible to sum up the life of someone as perfectly wonderful as my brother Michael, so right now I won’t try. He was seventeen months older than me, my first friend and buddy, and I’m so grateful for over 50 years of photos and memories. Please pray for my parents, whose devotion to Mike was boundless, and who will feel this loss most acutely. Michael Smith, you were everything.”
In another post shared to Facebook, Bartlesville, Oklahoma resident Dan Dalton described the food blogger’s brother as a local “icon.”
“It is with a sad heart to announce that Bartlesville Icon, Michael Smith, has gone to heaven. He is well known by almost everyone in Bartlesville and other parts of the state and known nationally due to Ree Drummond his famous sister. It is nice to know that he went fast and did not suffer. God has been very good to my favorite buddy. I know he is making lots of new friends in heaven,” the post reads.
Michael was one of Ree’s biggest fans and appeared in an episode of The Pioneer Woman in 2012. Just one year prior, Michael joined Ree for a signing of her then-newly released book “Black Heels To Tractor Wheels.” At the time, Tulsa World described Mike’s appearance at the event, painting a beautiful picture of his playful personality and love for his sister.
“Drummond was led onto the stage by her brother Mike Smith, who plays a big role in the stories on her blog. She introduced him as ‘my brother, my best buddy, Mike,'” the publication reported.
“I got stories on my sister. When I was a little kid, she would come in my room when I was asleep and put lipstick on me…and that was not funny,” Mike reportedly told the crowd.
Mike, who was developmentally disabled, “was glued to Drummond’s side during the book signing, posing for photographs because, he said, ‘I’m a ladies man.’ He also signed several copies of her book,” Tulsa World said.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Ree Drummond, her family, and the community that dearly loved Michael Smith.