Lauryn ‘Pumpkin’ Efird’s spouse was deeply concerned about her mental health as she struggled to come to terms with the passing of her sister, Anna ‘Chickadee’ Cardwell, who succumbed to cancer at the young age of 29.
In an emotional teaser for the Friday, July 5 episode of Mama June: Family Crisis, obtained by People, Josh Efird is seen weeping as he observes his wife, 24, selecting a vessel to hold Chickadee’s ashes.
Josh suggests that Lauryn join him in watching a movie while she scrolls on her iPad, saying: ‘It’s not something I want to see, but we need to find something to hold Anna’s remains.’
Josh expresses his worry, saying: ‘I’ve been with Pumpkin for almost a decade, and I’ve witnessed the toll that life has taken on her. But losing Anna has been the most devastating blow.’
‘I keep hoping that tomorrow she’ll get up, feel motivated to do things, or want to eat… but it never happens,’ he adds.
Lauryn ‘Pumpkin’ Efird and her husband, Josh, faced a challenging time as they grieved the loss of her sister, Anna ‘Chickadee’ Cardwell, who passed away from cancer at the young age of 29.
In a heart-wrenching scene, Josh Efird is seen breaking down in tears as he watches his wife, Lauryn, grieve the loss of her sister, Anna ‘Chickadee’ Cardwell, who passed away at 29.
Josh continues, ‘I’m doing my best to keep the kids occupied, but they really need their Mamma P back.’
Lauryn, reflecting on her sister’s death, realizes how quickly everything can change. She shares, ‘[Anna’s] children are now living in different places. I don’t want my family or my kids to ever be in that situation.’
‘It has definitely opened my eyes to the unpredictability of life. You’re not guaranteed tomorrow, and anything can happen,’ she adds.
Lauryn expresses her concerns to Josh about who would raise their children if something happened to them, suggesting they consult a lawyer to create a will. Josh, overcome with emotion, breaks down in tears, acknowledging the impact of Anna’s passing.
‘Anna’s death at 29 is a stark reminder of how important it is to have our priorities in order. It’s scary, and me and Pumpkin need to take action soon,’ he says.
Mama June, 44, recently spoke to People about her ‘dysfunctional’ family following Chickadee’s death from stage 4 adrenal cancer in December.
‘We are dysfunctional,’ she admitted. ‘But it’s always been just us. So, despite all the challenges and disagreements, we’re all we have left,’ Mama June added.
Chickadee’s mother, Mama June, announced her daughter’s passing on Instagram in December, expressing her grief.
Josh asks Lauryn to join him in watching a movie while she scrolls on her iPad, looking for a vessel to hold her sister’s ashes.
Lauryn reflects on the impact of her sister’s death, realizing the importance of being prepared for life’s uncertainties.
Josh expresses his concern for Lauryn’s well-being, recognizing that their children need their mother.
The couple is pictured with their two eldest children, emphasizing the importance they place on family.
She explains that it’s ‘always’ been just her and her daughters, adding, ‘Their fathers haven’t been involved.’
‘If today, [my husband] Justin [Stroud] left me, Josh left Pumpkin, Dralin left her, and Cheyenne left her, we would all have to move in together with the babies and make it work,’ Shannon says.
Mama June also shared Stroud’s ‘favorite saying’ about their unique family: ‘I’ve never seen a family like this.’
‘We can argue one minute and an hour later, we’re calling each other and talking like nothing happened,’ Shannon explains.
Chickadee’s mother, Mama June, announced her daughter’s passing on Instagram in December, writing, ‘With a heavy heart, we share that @annamarie35 is no longer with us.’
‘She passed away peacefully in my home last night at 11:12 PM,’ Mama June added.
‘She fought a courageous battle for 10 months, and she passed away surrounded by her family, as she wished. We will provide more information as we receive it. Please keep our family in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time,’ she concluded.
Chickadee underwent chemotherapy and immunotherapy before revealing last summer that her cancer was terminal.
Prior to her health deteriorating, she married her partner, Eldridge Toney, on March 4, 2023, in Wilkinson County, Georgia.
The final hours of Chickadee’s life, spent in hospice, were documented for the family’s show, Mama June: Family in Crisis.
The final hours of Chickadee’s life, which she spent in hospice, were filmed for the family’s show, Mama June: Family in Crisis.
After Mama June was granted custody of Chickadee’s daughters, Kaitlyn Elizabeth, 11, and 8-year-old Kylee Madison, Chickadee’s ex, Michael Cardwell, sued for custody of their daughter, Kylee.
Mama June is also a mother to Jessica Shannon, 27, Lauryn Efird, 24, and 18-year-old Alana ‘Honey Boo Boo’ Thompson.