Mama June Shannon Has a Bracelet Containing Late Daughter Anna Cardwell’s Ashes: ‘I Always Tote Her Around’ (Exclusive)

Anna, who was diagnosed with stage 4 adrenal carcinoma, died in December 2023

Mama June Shannon is honoring her late daughter Anna Cardwell in a special way.

During an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, the reality star revealed that she has a bracelet containing Anna's ashes. She died in December 2023 after being diagnosed with stage 4 adrenal carcinoma in January 2023. She was 29.

When asked how June, 44, is honoring Anna's legacy and keeping her memory alive during this season of Mama June: Family Crisis, June says she frequently talks about her late daughter.

“We very much still today, even six months later, keep her memory alive. For me, I personally have to talk about it all the time. She's actually here with us today,” June tells PEOPLE, pointing to her charm bracelet. “She's here. I always tote her around.”

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June continues, “That was her thing, that she wanted to be cremated and toted around, so I'm like, ‘Okay, let's go, girl.’”

Related: Why Anna 'Chickadee' Cardwell Chose to Film Her Final Months of Life (Exclusive)

June also reflects on the loss of Anna and having it be part of their reality television show.

“We never thought that we would have to lose somebody in our family. We didn't think we was going to experience that ever in reality TV," she candidly shares.

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She also says that there were really tough moments that involve Anna throughout the current season of Mama June: Family Crisis. However, June's daughter Lauryn "Pumpkin" Efird notes that the network, WE tv, was “respectful enough not to put anything that Anna wouldn't have wanted on frame.”

Related: Anna 'Chickadee' Cardwell's 2 Kids: All About Kaitlyn and Kylee

June announced Anna's death on Dec. 11. "With the breaking heart, we are announcing that @annamarie35 is no longer with us," she wrote on Instagram alongside a picture of her and her family. "She passed away in my home last night peacefully at 11:12 PM."

June continued, "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 will be updating y’all with more information as we get it today," Shannon added.

"We love y’all and continued prayers and thoughts for our family doing this difficult time," she concluded.

In addition to her mother and sister Lauryn, Anna is survived by her sisters, Alana "Honey Boo Boo" Thompson and Jessica Shannon, along with her husband, Eldridge Toney, and her daughters Kaitlyn Elizabeth, 11, and Kylee Madison, 8.

Mama June: Family Crisis airs Fridays at 9 p.m. ET on WEtv.

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