Anna “Chickadee” Cardwell's family gathered for her memorial service in Gordon Georgia on Wednesday – four days after her tragic death from cancer at the age of 29.
Mama June Shannon's daughter Cardwell died on Saturday after previously revealing that she had stage four adrenal carcinoma.
Mama June, 44, and Alana “Honey Boo Boo” Thompson, 18, were among the mourners who, along with sister Lauryn “Pumpkin” Efird, 23, entered the funeral home to pay their respects to Cardwell.
Friends and family hugged before heading to the service, where a sign warned mourners not to bring cellphones or risk leaving the funeral.
Cardwell's service order saw her listed under her married name, Anna Marie Toney – after marrying her husband Eldridge Toney during her battle with cancer.
Anna “Chickadee” Cardwell's loved ones – including Mama June and sister Alana “Honey Boo Boo” Thompson, 18 – gathered for her memorial service in Gordon Georgia on Wednesday – four days after her tragic death from cancer at the age of 29
Mama June Shannon's daughter Cardwell died on Saturday after previously revealing that she had stage four adrenal carcinoma
The poem “Broken Chain” was also read during the service, which says: “Little did we know when God would call your name.” In life we loved you very much, in death we do the same.
“It broke our hearts to lose you.” But you didn't go alone. Because part of us left with you. The day God called you home.
“You have left us peaceful memories.” Your love is still our guide even when we cannot see you. You are always by our side.
Our family chain is broken and nothing seems the same anymore, but when God calls us one by one, the chain will be reconnected.”
Cardwell's funeral will be an open casket with her remains divided and her ashes will be used to make “special jewelry or crystals.”
The funeral home will also take Cardwell's fingerprints and the family is considering getting her prints tattooed.
Cardwell reportedly requested an open casket funeral and wanted fans to be able to attend since she was close to them.
Mama June, 44, announced her daughter's death in an Instagram post on Sunday.
Thompson was seen speaking to loved ones before the service began
Shannon wore a patterned dress and jacket as she arrived at the service
Cardwell's husband, Eldridge Toney, was seen heading to the service
Anna's sister Lauryn “Pumpkin” Efird, 23, was also present at the service
Honey Boo Boo was seen entering the service with a companion
Friends and family hugged before heading to the service, where a sign warned mourners not to bring cellphones or risk leaving the funeral
Shannon's husband Justin Stroud was seen heading to the service
Cardwell's service order saw her listed under her married name, Anna Marie Toney – after marrying her husband Eldridge Toney during her battle with cancer
Two days before her grim announcement, the reality star asked her fans and followers on social media to pray for her sick daughter.
“It is with broken hearts that we announce that @annamarie35 is no longer with us,” June began her heartbreaking post. “She passed away peacefully in my home last night at 11:12 p.m.”
“She fought hard for 10 months and died surrounded by her family in a way she never would have otherwise and we will update you all with more information as we receive it today.” [sic]”Shannon continued.
“We love you all and continue to pray and think for our family.” [during] “In these difficult times,” she added.
The caption included a photo of Mama June and her family, including Anna, who sported short hair during her cancer treatment.
In January, Anna was diagnosed with stage four adrenal cancer after complaining of stomach pains.
The Mayo Clinic reports that adrenal carcinoma is a rare cancer that affects the adrenal glands in the kidneys. The adrenal glands produce hormones that transmit instructions to virtually every organ and tissue in the body.
The mother of the two girls, Kaitlyn (11) and Kylee (8), underwent chemotherapy and immunotherapy to beat her cancer.
Over the summer, the From Not to Hot star revealed that Anna's cancer was terminal.
“We know it's terminal. “She's stage 4. She's not going into remission,” she wrote, adding, “We've all accepted this so I'm just telling people one day at a time , because you never know.”
Cardwell's funeral will be an open casket with her remains divided and her ashes will be used to make “special jewelry or crystals.”
Chickadee was mother to two daughters – Kaitlyn, 11, and Kylee, eight
Cardwell secretly married his partner Eldridge Toney after finding out she had stage four cancer
The caption included a photo of Mama June and her family, including Anna, who sported short hair during her cancer treatment
On Friday, she took to social media to ask her 758,000 Instagram followers for prayers.
“As we go through this process, we ask everyone for prayers for our family,” the “Here Comes Honey Boo-Boo” alum wrote.
“We thank you all very much for all your thoughts and prayers and will keep you updated whenever we can,” she said, adding, “Just know that all of your thoughts and prayers are greatly appreciated during this time, she,” explained, adding the hashtags “#mamajune #cancersucks #family #prayers.”
She didn't specifically mention her daughter, but her followers immediately knew she was referring to Cardwell.
“Anna sends you many, many, many prayers.” God bless you, darling. ❤️,” wrote one concerned fan.
“Lord please hold Anna in your hands and help her and her family in this time they need you,” another added.
One follower commiserated with June's battle, writing, “From the mother of a cancer warrior… angel… my sincere thoughts and prayers for you all.”
June's 23-year-old daughter, Lauryn “Pumpkin” Efird, reposted, adding, “Say a prayer for our family.”
In January, Anna was diagnosed with stage four adrenal cancer after complaining of stomach pains
Cardwell's 18-year-old little sister Alana “Honey Boo Boo” Thompson also took to social media on Sunday to remember her.
Thompson told her 1.1 million followers: “This is a post I wish I didn't have to write.”
She shared the same family portrait as her mother with a heartbreaking caption mourning the new loss.
“Last night we all surrounded Anna with love and told her it was OK to leave.” Unfortunately, Anna took her last one around 11 p.m [breath],' She said.
The note continued: “Anna was in so much pain last night but now as a family we all know she is at peace now.” “I really don't know what to say as my heart is completely broken.”
The student said: “It wasn't easy watching my 29-year-old sister battle this terrible disease last year.” Anna was a fighter and still is. “Lord, please wrap your arms around her two babies and our family, for in the next few days this will all become a reality.”
She continued that her older sister waited until she got home to make the transition.
“I'm so glad you waited until I was home to take your last breath!” I would have loved for you to watch me graduate from college, but I know you'll be cheering me on forever in heaven !' she said in the caption.
“We will all ensure that your legacy lives on forever.” And I promise that we will always celebrate our birthday as if we never left! The sky looks a little different today. “We will always love you, Anna,” Heartbroken Honey Boo Boo added.
And finally she said, “You hit me hard with his, Anna, but I know it.” [you’re] Now in a better place and pain free forever!'
Alana “Honey Boo Boo” Thompson took to social media on Sunday to remember her late sister Anna
Eventually, Anna's cancer spread to her liver, kidneys and lungs
Eventually, Anna's cancer spread to her liver, kidneys and lungs.
The average age of patients with adrenal cancer is 46, but it can occur in people of any age, even children, according to the American Cancer Society.
Adrenocortical carcinomas begin in the outer layer of the adrenal glands, which is located next to the kidneys. The adrenal glands are small glands that produce hormones.
Most growths that form in the adrenal glands are not cancerous.
Shannon's reality show will focus on her daughter Cardwell's ultimate decline with cancer.
Insiders have told TMZ that the last three weeks of her life, which she spent in hospice care, will be shown in Mama June: Family Crisis with Chickadee's permission.
Apparently wanting to help viewers understand the experiences of cancer patients, Chickadee kept the camera crew with her until their final hours.
However, the team behind the reality show refused to film her death and will not film her funeral to give the family a chance to grieve privately.
Her reluctance comes despite the fact that Chickadee herself was reportedly willing to have both her death and her funeral appear on reality TV.
According to her, she was said to have been reliably open with her fans and hoped that they would understand all the suffering she had endured.