Mama June Shannon is actively working to mend her relationships with her daughters. Known for her role on Mama June: Road to Redemption, June gained fame alongside her youngest daughter Alana “Honey Boo Boo” when they appeared on TLC’s Toddlers & Tiaras in 2009.
She is the mother of four daughters: Jessica “Chubbs” Shannon, Lauryn “Pumpkin” Efrid, Alana “Honey Boo Boo” Thompson, and Anna “Chickadee” Cardwell, the latter of whom passed away on December 9, 2023, after being diagnosed with adrenal carcinoma the previous January.
After capturing the audience’s attention as a mother-daughter team, June and Alana were granted their own spin-off, Here Comes Honey Boo Boo, which aired from 2012 until 2014. The show ended in the middle of controversy surrounding June’s relationship with a convicted sex offender.
Mama June is focusing on rebuilding her relationships with her daughters after years of family struggles and personal challenges
In 2017, June starred in her own weight loss journey series, initially titled Mama June: From Not to Hot and later rebranded as Mama June: Road to Redemption, where she sought to reconnect with her family.
The series has highlighted various challenges the family faced, including June’s 2019 arrest for drug possession and her loss of custody of Alana in April 2022, which resulted in Lauryn “Pumpkin” gaining sole custody after three years of caring for her.
Reflecting on Pumpkin stepping up, June expressed her gratitude, saying, “It could’ve turned into a bad situation.” She admitted that she was unable to care for anyone at that time.
After entering rehab with her then-boyfriend Eugene “Geno” Doak following their arrest, June has documented her journey to sobriety, celebrating her 16-month milestone on Instagram on June 5, 2021.
Recently, she married Justin Stroud, her boyfriend of six months, at a Georgia courthouse on March 23, 2022. Nearly a year later, the couple had a second wedding ceremony on February 18, 2023, where all four of June’s daughters were present.
“This was the first time the family had all been together since 2014,” June shared with PEOPLE. “It was really special to get married in a place where we have so many memories!” The purpose of the occasion became clearer a month later when it was revealed that Anna had been diagnosed with stage 4 adrenal carcinoma in January.
Following Anna’s diagnosis, Alana addressed her followers on Instagram, emphasizing that fame doesn’t shield anyone from personal struggles. “Normal stuff happens to me and my family, and y’all need to realize that ASAP,” she wrote.
As the sixth season of what WE tv now calls Mama June: Family Crisis approaches, June discussed her parenting challenges with PEOPLE. “Parents and kids don’t come with an instruction manual. I know I’ll make mistakes, and they will too,” she stated in May 2023.
Here’s an overview of Mama June’s four daughters: Anna, Jessica, Lauryn, and Alana.
Anna “Chickadee” Cardwell
The eldest of June’s daughters, Anna, also known as “Chickadee,” was born on August 28, 1994. Her father is June’s ex-boyfriend David Dunn, who has never been part of the family’s reality TV journey.
Anna’s relationship with June has been tumultuous since 2003, following a traumatic experience with her mother’s then-boyfriend, Mark McDaniel. Anna eventually moved in with her grandmother after the incident.
Despite their history, Anna and June attempted to reconcile ahead of Here Comes Honey Boo Boo’s debut in 2012. Anna became a mother to two children, welcoming Kaitlyn Elizabeth in 2012 and marrying Michael Cardwell in 2014, with whom she had another daughter, Kylee Madison, before their separation in 2017.
In 2015, Anna sued June for unpaid appearances on Here Comes Honey Boo Boo, seeking $300,000. Despite their estrangement, they reunited for June’s February 2023 wedding, where all four daughters walked June down the aisle.
As of 2023, Anna is employed at Five Star Toyota of Milledgeville, Georgia. Tragically, on March 30, 2023, it was confirmed that Anna had stage 4 cancer, leading to her passing on December 10, 2023. June shared the news on Instagram, detailing Anna’s last moments surrounded by family.
In a touching tribute, Alana promised to celebrate Anna’s legacy, stating, “We will always love you, Anna.” In September 2024, June gained custody of Kaitlyn after her stepfather sought custody and visitation. A family therapist noted Kaitlyn’s desire to stay with June, expressing fears about leaving her grandmother.
Jessica “Chubbs” Shannon, 27
The second oldest, Jessica, affectionately called “Chubbs,” was born on October 12, 1996, to June and her ex Michael Anthony Ford. Ford is a convicted sex offender, known for his involvement in the show To Catch a Predator.
Jessica has appeared in multiple family reality shows and made a guest appearance on Family Feud. She graduated from Wilkinson County High School in 2015 and completed college in May 2018, celebrating her achievement on Instagram.
In February 2020, Jessica and Anna traveled to Beverly Hills for extensive makeovers costing over $80,000. Jessica later shared that the changes were transformative, allowing her to overcome years of self-consciousness about her appearance.
Lauryn “Pumpkin” Efird, 24
Lauryn, known as “Pumpkin,” is June’s third daughter, born on January 7, 2000. For years, she believed her biological father was Mark McDaniel until June clarified the truth about her paternity during an interview.
Lauryn has been featured in all of the family’s reality shows, including Mama June: Road to Redemption. She became a mother for the first time in December 2017, welcoming daughter Ella Grace with Joshua Efird, whom she later married.
The couple expanded their family with the birth of their son Bentley in July 2021 and twins Sylus and Stella in May 2022. Lauryn gained full custody of Alana in June 2022 after June’s legal issues, which had led to a difficult transition for both Lauryn and Alana.
Lauryn expressed her desire to improve her relationship with June, stating, “I’m just at a place where I want to fix things with my mom and move on.” In July 2023, she questioned the decision to keep their family struggles on reality TV. Lauryn filed for divorce from Joshua in August 2024, citing their marriage as “irretrievably broken” while agreeing to joint custody of their four children.
Alana “Honey Boo Boo” Shannon, 19
Alana, the youngest daughter, became a household name on Toddlers & Tiaras with her memorable catchphrase. Born on August 28, 2005, to June and her ex Mike Thompson, known as “Sugar Bear,” she has continued to appear in various reality shows.
In an interview, Alana shared her motivation for participating in Dancing with the Stars: Juniors, saying, “It would be super fun and a great experience.” She noted her mother’s support during this time.
In 2019, Alana moved in with Lauryn, who is now her legal guardian. Alana has expressed her desire to distance herself from her “Honey Boo Boo” persona, stating, “My name is Alana,” highlighting her growth and maturity.
Reflecting on her past, she mentioned her pride in overcoming challenges, especially during tough times with her mother’s drug use. While she previously shaded June in social media posts, Alana has since reconciled with her, participating in her wedding.
Alana is currently in a relationship with 21-year-old Dralin Carswell. Addressing their age difference and interracial relationship, Alana confidently stated that their happiness is what matters most.
However, their relationship faced challenges when Carswell was arrested in February 2023 for multiple offenses, including DUI. Alana was present during the incident, which involved a police chase that ended with law enforcement using a PIT maneuver to stop their vehicle.
