Anna Cardwell's widower Eldridge Toney gets late wife's ashes tattooed: 'Good way to memorialize her'

MILLEDGEVILLE, GEORGIA: Eldridge Toney has found a deeply personal way to honor the memory of his late wife, Anna “Chickadee” Cardwell.

One year after her tragic death from stage 4 adrenal carcinoma in December 2023, Toney revealed that he memorialized Cardwell in a deeply symbolic manner—by incorporating her ashes into the ink of a tattoo.

Toney Eldridge honors late wife with ash-infused tattoo

According to OK! Magazine, in an interview published on December 9, Eldridge Toney shared, "That’s something I did for her right off the bat. I found a really good tattoo artist — a licensed tattoo artist — that was willing to do the ashes for me."

The unique tribute is etched onto his arm, ensuring Cardwell's presence remains a part of him forever.

“I feel like that was a good way to memorialize her. I always have it on my arm, and it’ll never go away.”

Despite the heartbreak of losing his beloved wife, Toney remains devoted to keeping Cardwell's memory alive in everyday conversations. “I’ve got a lot of friends that knew her personally, and I hope they don’t feel like I bug them, or like I talk about her too much,” he admitted.

Cardwell, the eldest daughter of Mama June Shannon, died at just 28 years old, leaving behind two daughters, Kaitlyn, 12, and Kylee, 9. 

Kaitlyn, whose biological father is unknown, is currently in Mama June’s custody in Georgia, while Kylee resides with her biological father, Michael Cardwell, in Alabama.

Although Toney no longer lives with the girls, he remains an active figure in their lives. "I talk about her with the girls," he reportedly shared. "I always want to make sure they know how much their mom loved them and cared for them, and did right by them."

Recently, Toney even took to his Instagram to pen a sweet note about Kaitlyn, "You’re growing up so fast! Your mom would have loved to see you off to your first school dance! We all miss her daily and we know she is watching down on us all. I hope you have a great time and enjoy yourself."

Eldridge Toney reflects on Anna Cardwell's heartbreaking stage 4 diagnosis

Anna Cardwell's health struggles began in late 2022 when she underwent surgery to remove a tumor.

Sadly, the cancer returned in early 2023, leading to her devastating stage 4 diagnosis. She bravely fought the disease for nearly a year before her death in December.

Reflecting on her untimely death, Toney said, “Everything just happened so fast. She was the sweetest girl and super outgoing, and I don’t see why something like that had to happen to her. She’s got two beautiful children, and she should be here, raising them.”

As the first anniversary of her death approaches, Toney has plans to gather with family and celebrate Cardwell's life.

"We’re going to try and make the best of the day and try not to be depressed all solo and alone," he explained. "So we’re going to try and get together, and do something good for her."

On March 5, Toney took to his Instagram to celebrate what could have been their first wedding anniversary, writing, "Today would have been one year married to my best friend. There’s not a day that goes by that I don’t miss you or think about you! I am so grateful for having the opportunity to have had you in my life and grow with you!"

He added, "You were such a beautiful soul. I am thankful for the time that we had together I just wish we would have had more time. I love you so much and miss you like crazy! Continue watching over us from above! Happy Heavenly Anniversary!"