Mama June says her family ‘carries’ Anna 'Chickadee' Cardwell with them after her tragic demise
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Mama June has finally opened up her heart while discussing the death of her eldest daughter, Anna 'Chickadee' Cardwell.
The TV personality also shared about her last days. Anna was 29 when she lost her life to adrenal cancer in December 2023. She left behind her two minor daughters — Kaitlyn and Kylee, and husband, Eldridge Toney.
Mama June describes Anna 'Chickadee' Cardwell’s final days
Mama June, whose real name is June Shannon, told DailyMail.com, “She passed away in mine and Justin's home. Eldridge and the girls and her were living there for three weeks and one day.”
She further stated, “[I was] hearing her scream my name at night, hearing her little oxygen cord going round... She would not keep her oxygen on for anything. The day before she passed away Kaitlyn was helping us give [Anna] medicine - and she would only take it for Kaitlyn.”
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“The final things that we all made sure that we said in the last couple of days... I can't tell you how many times I said I love you,” the reality star mentioned.
Anna's younger sister Lauryn 'Pumpkin' Efird also stated, “She fought until the very end. You could tell at the end that she was ready. She was done.”
The 24-year-old revealed, “She fought as much as she could so I was telling her, ‘It's okay, everybody's here.’”
Anna 'Chickadee' Cardwell’s daughters still recovering
Mama June also spoke about Anna’s children as she told the publication, “I think Kaitlyn is still in shock. Unlike Kylee, Kaitlyn was there when Anna took her last breath.”
“Everybody was screaming because we just didn't really know what to do or anything,” Lauryn noted, before asserting, “I can't imagine if that keeps me up at night, I'm sure at times it must keep Kaitlyn up but teenagers aren't going to say that.
“We always make sure to ask her how she's doing, if she's okay, tell her that it's okay to cry.”
Lauryn 'Pumpkin' Efird says Anna’s absence ‘sucks’
When asked how as a family they are recovering, the ‘Mama June: From Not to Hot’ actress said, “I have my good days, I have my bad days – certain things that I'll do remind me of her...We do talk about her quite a bit. We all carry her with us.”
“It sucks. Going on in life and… her not being here really kind of f*cks with you at the end of the day,” Mama June’s daughter Lauryn reflected.
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This came after in December following the tragedy, Mama June posted a photo on Instagram, announcing Anna’s death.
She wrote, “With the breaking heart, we are announcing that @annamarie35 is no longer with us. She passed away in my home last night peacefully at 11:12 PM.”
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“She gave one hell of a fight for 10 months she passed away with her family around her like she won’t and we will be updating y’all with more information as we get it today,” the post added.
