Duggar Matriarch Slipped, Drowned

A sad week for the Duggar clan: The Arkansas family made famous by the 19 Kids and Counting series says grandmother Mary Duggar died on Sunday. Washington County Coroner Roger W. Morris tells People that the 78-year-old matriarch died of an accidental drowning in a swimming pool at her Springdale home after slipping. Duggar, who often appeared in 19 Kids and spinoff Counting On, worked as a real estate broker and is survived by her son Jim Bob, daughter Deanna, 21 grandchildren, and 13 great-grandchildren, reports ET. She is greatly loved and will be missed so very much!" the family said in a Facebook post.

"Mary Lester Duggar grew up in Farmington, Arkansas, and was married almost 50 years to J.L. (Jimmy Lee) Duggar who preceded her in death," they wrote, praising her as a follower of Christ who lived a "tremendous life." In an Instagram post Monday, Jana Duggar, the eldest of Jim Bob's daughters, said her grandmother died after church, USA Today reports. "On her last morning spent here on earth I drove Grandma to church where she worshiped her Savior," she wrote. "Later that afternoon, she went to meet Him face to face! I'd say that’s probably how she would’ve chosen to finish out the day if she got to pick." (More 19 Kids and Counting stories.)