Fans of WeTV’s “Mama June” have watched Josh Efird become a core member of the Shannon family over the years. Best known to viewers as Lauryn “Pumpkin” Shannon’s ex-husband and June Shannon’s former son-in-law, Josh appeared throughout multiple seasons of the reality series while helping raise a growing family alongside Pumpkin.
Although Josh and Pumpkin finalized their divorce in 2024, longtime viewers continue to follow Josh’s life and complicated connection to the Shannon family. With that in mind, here are five fast facts to know about Josh Efird.
1. Josh Efird Married Pumpkin Shannon in 2018
21-year-old Josh Efird married 18-year-old Lauryn “Pumpkin” Shannon on April 30, 2018. By the time they tied the knot, the couple had already welcomed their first child together, daughter Ella Grace Efird, who was born in December 2017.
Josh began appearing on the family’s WeTV reality series, “Mama June,” during Season 2 and remained a core cast member throughout the show’s run. After six years of marriage, Pumpkin and Josh finalized their divorce in 2024.
2. Josh Efird Is the Father of 5 Children
Josh Efird is the father of five children. Along with his oldest daughter, Ella Efird, he shares three more children with his ex-wife, Pumpkin Shannon. The former couple welcomed their first son, Bentley Jameson Efird, in July 2021. Less than a year later, Pumpkin gave birth to their twins, Sylus Ray Efird and Stella Renae Efird, in May 2022.
Along with his four children with his ex-wife, Josh also shares a child with his girlfriend, Breanna Godwin. The couple welcomed their daughter, Sadie Efird, in May 2025.
3. Josh Efird Helped Raise Honey Boo Boo
Along with his five biological children, Josh Efird also helped raise his former sister-in-law, Alana Thompson, also known as Honey Boo Boo. During his marriage to Pumpkin, his former wife was granted legal custody of her younger sister in 2019. Alana was just 13 when she moved in with Pumpkin and Josh on a permanent basis.
While Alana and Josh had their ups and downs, especially after Pumpkin and Josh’s divorce in 2024, Josh made it clear during Season 8 of “Mama June: Family Crisis” that he still considers Alana as a daughter.
He even surprised her with flowers at her nursing school ceremony, explaining that he believed it was something a father should do. However, viewers saw that Alana appeared somewhat caught off guard by the gesture, and the moment did not fully land the way Josh had intended.
4. Josh Efird Was the Officiant at Jessica Shannon’s Wedding
Along with helping Pumpkin raise Alana during her teenage years, Josh Efird also developed a close relationship with Pumpkin’s older sister, Jessica Shannon. During Season 8 of “Mama June: Family Crisis,” Josh served as the officiant at Jessica’s wedding to her longtime girlfriend, Shyann McCant.
5. Josh Efird Volunteered To Be Jessica Shannon’s Sperm Donor
During the Season 8 finale of “Mama June: Family Crisis,” viewers learned that Josh Efird had volunteered to be the sperm donor for Jessica Shannon and her then-girlfriend, Shyann McCant, while he was still legally married to Pumpkin Shannon.
Following the revelation, many fans began to better understand why Pumpkin had previously expressed discomfort with Jessica maintaining a close friendship with Josh. In earlier seasons of the show, Pumpkin had made it clear that she would not be comfortable with Josh ever serving as Jessica’s sperm donor.
While Josh Efird’s relationship with Pumpkin Shannon may have come to an end, his years on “Mama June: Family Crisis” makes him a familiar face to longtime viewers. From raising four children with Pumpkin to maintaining close ties with members of the Shannon family, Josh has remained part of the conversation both on and off the reality series.
