Mama June's Husband Justin Stroud Was Family's 'Biggest Rock' amid Anna 'Chickadee' Cardwell's Illness (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Mama June Shannon and husband Justin Stroud (L), Anna ‘Chickadee’ Cardwell (R).Photo:Justin Stroud/ Instagram; Anna Cardwell/ Instagram

Justin Stroud/ Instagram; Anna Cardwell/ Instagram

Anna “Chickadee” Cardwell’s family had someone keeping them strong during her difficult health journey.

While attendingCardwell’s funeral on Wednesday, Cardwell’s sister,Lauryn “Pumpkin” Efird, told PEOPLE — who was invited to the private service — that Shannon’s husband,Justin Stroud, was the “biggest rock” of their family during Cardwell’s health journey.

Anna “Chickadee” Cardwell.Anna Cardwell/Instagram

Anna Cardwell/Instagram

Shannon and Straud married in acourthouse wedding on March 23, 2022, andsaid “I do” for a second timethis past February with friends and family — includingShannon’s other two daughters:Alana “Honey Boo Boo” Thompsonand Jessica “Chubbs” Shannon — in attendance.

With his help, Efrid said Shannon was able to focus on being a mom and spend time with Cardwell in her final days.

“Because he’s not blood, it was even that much more amazing how he really just stepped up and [showed us] what a good person he is,” Efird said.

Thompson, 18, also agreed with Efird that Stroud had been a huge help, telling PEOPLE: “I mean, he’s not even blood, but he was doing everything.”

Mama June Shannon with Justin Stroud and daughters Lauryn “Pumpkin” Efird, Anna “Chickadee” Cardwell and Alana “Honey Boo Boo” Thompson.Lauryn Efird/ Instagram

Lauryn Efird/ Instagram

In aTikTok videoon Monday, Shannon opened up about howthings have felt different around her home since Cardwell’s death.

“It’s so quiet in here, the machines aren’t running. She’s not sitting in here watching cooking shows and it’s just so quiet. The chair that she was in, you know, nobody is sitting in it right now because it has a blanket and a pillow that she used and that’s where she passed away at,” she said.

TheMama June: Family in Crisisstar noted that she didn’t know “how to describe the pain” and told her followers, “I know a look a hot mess, but my mind is so emotionally and mentally mindf—ed right now.”

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During the funeral service, guests shared their favorite memories of Cardwell and agreed that she “had spunk until the very last moment.” A friend who she met working at Walmart said Cardwell was always “full of life” and did whatever she wanted because she didn’t care what people thought.

When Efird spoke, she emphasized how Cardwell loved her two daughters, her husband, and cooking chicken and dumplings with biscuits and spaghetti for everyone. She grew emotional as she questioned how their family moves on after her death.

source: people.com