Anna 'Chickadee' Cardwell's distraught husband opened up about his final promise to his wife as the reality TV star lay on her deathbed.
Toney Eldridge, 28, vowed to “make sure (their) daughters remember their mother” and “spend (his) life” sharing her stories with the children as they said their final goodbyes.
Chickadee died earlier this month at the age of 29, after previously revealing she suffered from an adrenal carcinoma that progressed to stage 4.
While she battled cancer, Chickadee and Toney secretly married in March after a long-term romance that began in 2017.
Toney now revealed his latest promise to his late wife, who also leaves behind daughters Kaitlyn, 8, and Kylee, 11, in a devastating interview with People.
Anna 'Chickadee' Cardwell's distraught husband Toney Eldridge, 28, opened up about his final promise to his wife as the reality TV star lay on her deathbed
Toney vowed to “make sure (their) daughters remember their mother” and “spend (his) life” sharing her stories with the children as they said their final goodbyes
Chickadee died earlier this month at the age of 29, after previously revealing she battled adrenal carcinoma that progressed to stage 4
“The day before she passed away, we talked and said goodbye,” Toney said, recalling his wife's final moments.
'Her dying wish was that her girls would grow up knowing who their mother was. And I promised that I would always do right by the girls. I will spend my life doing what is right for Anna and the girls.'
“Those are my girls,” Toney said. 'I promised Anna that I would do what was right for them and make sure they remembered their mother. And that's what I'm going to do.'
Chickadee welcomed Kylee with her first husband, Michael Cardwell, and had Kaitlyn during a previous relationship.
Insiders have said so TMZ the last three weeks of Chickadee's life, which she spent in a hospice, were featured in “Mama June: Family Crisis.”
Apparently, Chickadee wanted to help viewers understand the experiences of cancer patients, so she kept the camera crew with her until her final hours.
But the team behind the reality show refused to film her death and will not film her funeral, in the interests of the family being able to grieve privately.
Their reluctance comes despite the fact that Chickadee herself was reportedly willing to have both her death and funeral featured on reality TV.
Toney now revealed his final promise to his late wife, who also survived daughters Kaitlyn, 8, and Kylee, 11, in a devastating interview with People
While she battled cancer, Chickadee and Toney secretly married in March after a long-term romance that began in 2017.
Chickadee welcomed Kylee with her first husband Michael Cardwell and had Kaitlyn during a previous relationship
Her view would have been that she was reliably candid with her fans and hoped they would understand all the suffering she was undergoing.
Mama June, 44, announced her daughter's death in an Instagram post following the star's tragic death.
Two days before her somber announcement, the reality star had 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 really hard for ten months. She died with her family around her as if she wouldn't and we will keep you all updated with more information as we get it today (sic),” Shannon continued.
“We love you all and continue to pray and think for our family (during) this difficult time,” she added.
The caption included a photo of Mama June and her family, including Anna, who sported short hair during her cancer treatments.
Anna was diagnosed with stage four adrenal cancer in January after complaining of stomach pain.
The Mayo Clinic reports adrenal carcinoma is a rare form of cancer that affects the adrenal glands in the kidneys. The adrenal glands produce hormones that provide instructions to virtually every organ and tissue in the body.
The mother of two girls, Kaitlyn, 11, and Kylee, eight, underwent chemotherapy and immunotherapy in an attempt 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 is in stage 4. She is not going into remission,” she wrote, adding, “We have all accepted that so I am telling people one day at a time because you never know.”
“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 took to social media to ask her 758,000 Instagram followers for prayers.
“All of you are asking for prayers for our family as we go through this process,” the Here Comes Honey Boo-Boo alum wrote.
“We really appreciate all of you for all your thoughts and prayers and we will keep you all updated whenever we can,” she said, adding, “just know that all of your thoughts and prayers are greatly appreciated during this time.” explained, adding the hashtags “#mamajune #cancersucks #family #prayers.”
She didn't explicitly mention her daughter, but her followers immediately knew she was talking about Cardwell.
“Anna is sending you lots of prayers. God bless you sweetheart. ❤️,” one concerned fan wrote.
“Lord, please take Anna in your hands and help her and her family during this time when they need you,” another added.
One follower empathized with June's battle, writing, “From a cancer warrior mom.. angel.. my heartfelt thoughts and prayers to you all.”
June's 23-year-old daughter, Lauryn “Pumpkin” Efird, posted again, adding, “Say a prayer for our family.”
Anna was diagnosed with stage four adrenal cancer in January after complaining of stomach pain
Cardwell's 18-year-old sister Alana 'Honey Boo BooThompson took to social media to remember her as well.
Thompson shared with her 1.1 million followers: “This is a post I wish I didn't have to make.”
She shared the same family portrait as her mother, along with a heartbreaking caption as she mourned the new loss.
“Last night we all surrounded Anna with love and let her know it was okay to go. Sadly, Anna breathed her last around 11pm,” she said.
The note continued: 'Anna was in so much pain last night, but now we all know as a family that she is now at peace. I really don't know what to say because my heart is completely broken.'
The student said: 'It was not 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 as this will all become a reality in the coming days.”
She went on to say that her bigger sister waited until she got home to transition.
“I'm so glad you waited until I got home to take your last breaths!” I would have loved for you to see me graduate, but I know you will cheer me on forever in heaven!” she said in the caption.
“We will all ensure that your legacy lives on forever. And I promise to always make sure we celebrate our anniversary as if you never left! The sky looks a little different today. We will always love you Anna,” a heartbroken Honey Boo Boo added.
And finally she said, “You hit me hard with his, Anna, but I know (you're) in a better place now and pain free forever!”
Alana 'Honey Boo Boo' Thompson took to social media to remember her late sister Anna
The average age of patients with adrenal cancer is 46 years, but according to the American Cancer Society, it can occur in people of any age, even children.
Adrenocortical carcinomas begin in the outer layer of the adrenal glands, which are located next to the kidneys. The adrenal glands are small glands that produce hormones.
Most growths that form in the adrenal glands are non-cancerous.
Shannon's reality show includes her daughter Cardwell's latest decline from cancer.