Celebrity Celebrity Weddings Mama June Praises Husband Justin for Helping Her Family amid Hardships: 'Appreciate Him Even More' (Exclusive) Mama June Shannon wed Justin Stroud in a courthouse wedding in March 2022 By Dory Jackson Dory Jackson Dory Jackson is a Staff Editor for PEOPLE's TV News team. Upon joining the brand in March 2021, she has had the opportunity to interview a long list of celebrities, from Kate Hudson to Pierce Brosnan to Billy Porter. She has also helped recap popular TV shows like 'The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills,' 'Sister Wives' and 'Vanderpump Rules.' The New York-based Maryland native graduated from Randolph-Macon College in May 2016 with a focus on Communication Studies and Journalism. She came to PEOPLE in March 2021 after working at a number of major news companies, including Newsweek and Us Weekly. People Editorial Guidelines Published on June 20, 2024 03:15PM EDT (L-R) Justin Stroud and Mama June Shannon. Photo: Justin Stroud/Instagram Mama June Shannon and her family know they can lean on her husband, Justin Stroud, no matter what. Following a courthouse ceremony in March 2022, June and Justin wed a second time in February 2023 during a ceremony held in Panama City, Florida. But the pair have endured several hurdles since their relationship's inception, including navigating June's daughter Anna "Chickadee" Cardwell's stage 4 cancer journey and eventual death in December 2023. "Me and Justin have been together. We've been married two and a half years and we've been together almost three years in September," June, 44, tells PEOPLE exclusively in a joint interview with daughters Alana "Honey Boo Boo" Thompson, Lauryn "Pumpkin" Efird and Jessica "Chubbs" Shannon ahead of Mama June: Family Crisis' midseason return. Who Is Mama June Shannon's Husband? All About Justin Stroud "The three years that we have honestly been together have been some crazy times," she continues. "When I met him, I was working on my relationship with my kids. I was getting to know who I was. He helped with all of that. Then we got married six months after we met and then we moved to Georgia to try to mend that relationship. And even when we moved to Alabama, he was going back and forth helping do that." (L-R) Mama June Shannon and Justin Stroud. Justin Stroud Instagram Mama June's Husband Fears Her Lies Will 'Ruin' Their Marriage and Make Him the 'Villain' in Their Family As the family found out Anna was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer, June notes that "our life kinda went on a halt." "Everything that Anna needed, Justin made sure he would go on over and check on her. Just doing something now, we've had to take care of [Anna's daughter] Kaitlyn since November and he does that," she explains. "But I know he always said that he does stuff that he shouldn't have to do and I get that, but I also say that too when it comes to that. But I do love and appreciate him even more." Some of the issues June and Justin have faced are being shown on the season of Mama June: Family Crisis that's currently airing. In a teaser trailer for the midseason return, June brought up the idea of attending marriage counseling sessions with Justin — and Justin was not a fan of the idea. Mama June with her family. Mama June/Instagram June now confirms to PEOPLE that they still "have not" signed up for couple's therapy but are still going strong. "We've been through so much and most couples don't even go through what we even went through in the last three years in their whole entire 30-40 years of marriage," she adds. "So I really think that that shows our strength." Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Mama June: Family Crisis airs Fridays at 9 p.m. ET on WEtv.