Three of the Meet the Putmans family members have died in a recent car accident.
“I come to you with a heavy heart, asking for your prayers. Our family was in a tragic car accident and we lost Papa, Neenee and Aunt Megan,” a Saturday, September 27, statement shared via the family’s @GrowingUpPutmans Instagram account read, referring to grandparents Bill and Barb Putman and their daughter-in-law. “They have gone home to be with the Lord.”
Additional members of the family sustained injuries in the crash.
“Please keep Uncle Blake, Lulu, Alena, Noah and Gia in your prayers as they remain in the hospital,” the statement continued. “We are asking for complete healing and strength for each of them.”
Meet the Putmans was broadcast on TLC in 2017, chronicling the daily lives of Bill and Barb’s extended multi-generational family of 25 living under one roof. The docuseries was later revived and retitled Growing Up Putman, which aired via YouTube in 2021. (Bill and Barb shared sons Billy, Brandon, Blake and daughter Blair, who are married to Jen, Casey, Megan and Jamie, respectively.)
The late couple’s son Blake, who was injured in the crash, was married to Megan for 18 years ahead of her tragic death. Together, they shared children Lulu, Alena and Noah.
“My entire family … all proclaimed that Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior,” the Saturday statement continued. “He is our hope, our peace and our salvation. Even in this time of heartbreak, we rest in knowing that God is in control.”
They added, “We know Papa, Neenee and Aunt Megan are not gone forever. They are alive and whole in Heaven, standing before Jesus, hearing the words we all long to hear: ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant.’”
The Putmans also asked for “continued prayers” for Blake and his children as they recover from their respective injuries.
“We ask for your continued prayers … for our whole family as we walk through this deep loss,” the statement read. “Even in this valley, we will praise Him. We trust that His plan is perfect, and that one day, we will be reunited in Heaven. Thank you for every prayer, message and act of love. Your support means more than words can express.”
The family concluded, “Please continue to lift us up, that our hearts remain fixed on the truth that Jesus conquered death so we could have eternal life.”
In the years since Meet the Putmans and Growing Up Putman ended, the relatives had continued to share their journey via social media. Barb had even celebrated her husband’s birthday just four days before their tragic accident.
“Happy birthday to my incredible husband! Bill, welcome to our Medicare years,” Barb joked via Instagram on Tuesday, September 23. “You are truly a blessing to me and our family. You inspire us each day through your strengths, wisdom and determination. You love us unconditionally and have always been consistent with that even through our faults. … As a dad and papa you are such a gift to our family. You are our safe place, our inspiration and our encourager. You are leaving a legacy for our children and our grandchildren they will carry with them forever.”
