Tammy Slaton, the star of TLC's 1000-lb Sisters, has paid a heartfelt tribute to her late husband Caleb Willingham, who recently passed away at the age of 40.
Slaton shared several nostalgic pictures of herself and Willingham on Instagram, expressing her deep grief and sorrow at the unexpected loss.
The caption of her post communicated her gratitude to her husband for introducing her to "real love and happiness". The reality TV star and Willingham crossed paths at an Ohio weight loss rehabilitation center last year, marking the beginning of their whirlwind romance. By November, they were engaged, and a month later they tied the knot in a beautiful ceremony.
Reminiscing about their wedding day, the 1000-lb Sisters star once told PEOPLE that it was "magical" and that she had married "her best friend". She recalled, "Our wedding day was perfect, there was so much love in the room."
Despite their love story, the couple reportedly parted ways six months later in May 2023, leaving their fans heartbroken.
On Saturday (July 1), Slaton took to Instagram to commemorate Willingham, sharing photos from their first Christmas together.
She penned an emotional tribute, stating, "Rip sweet angel you… will forever be missed and loved so much…thank you Caleb for showing me real love and happiness."
Slaton also reached out to PEOPLE to confirm the tragic news.
In her statement, she said, "I am devastated to share the news of my husband’s passing. He was my best friend and I loved him dearly. When I met Caleb he became my guardian angel and now he really is watching over me. Our families appreciate everyone’s sympathy and ask that you respect our privacy at this time."
In addition to Slaton's moving tribute, Willingham's younger brother also took to Facebook to commemorate his life. His poignant post read: "I can't believe I'm even making this post, but today GOD called my big brother home. R.I.P. Caleb Willingham... You will be forever loved and missed. Until we meet again."
News of Willingham's untimely passing was also confirmed by his stepmother, Shirley Willingham, to TMZ, although further details surrounding his sudden death remain undisclosed.
Tributes for the late Willingham, originally from Evansville, Indiana, have been pouring in on social media.
One tweeted: "So sad and he was so young. My condolences to Tammy and his family."
A Facebook user added: "Oh no! This was a great little couple. Tammy, I am so sorry for your loss. Don’t let this derail your progress."
A third fan penned: "I truly hope this isn’t a setback for Tammy Slaton. May she mourn but find the will to continue moving forward."
A forth simply wrote: "So very sorry for all...stay strong on your journey Tammy."
