LeBron James might be the alpha on the hardwood—the biggest dog in the NBA yard—but when it comes to his mother, he’s still that wide-eyed kid from Akron. His life, his values, his relentless drive—all shaped by Gloria James, the woman who carried him through storms most can’t imagine. And on May 11th, as the world celebrates mothers, the strength behind the King let her guard down.

In a raw and moving social media post, Gloria opened her heart—shedding tears not just for what she’s built, but for what she sacrificed along the way. Captioning a carousel of pictures of memorials, she wrote, “We all are missing you two like you wouldn’t believe😭. But we know that you’re both peaceful and in heaven sitting along side God🙏🏾🙏🏾. Continue looking down on us and protecting us from your thrones. Love and miss you both immensely.🩷🩷🕊️🕊️🌹🌹.”

The pictures were from the Mount Peace Cemetery in Akron, Ohio. The memorial plaques withstood the test of time to show the names Freda James Howard and Constance D. Golson. For those unaware, Freda is the late grandmother of LeBron James. The Lakers veteran shared the post on his IG story with a 👼🏾 emoji, followed by several heart signs to show his affection. LeBron James lost Freda at 3 as Gloria lost the pillar of her strength. For a young James, the memories of grandma were far and few, but he always remembered her couch used at his humble home of 832 Lorain St, Akron, OH 44305.

From Akron’s gritty streets to global superstardom, LeBron James never forgets where he came from—and more importantly, who got him there. Raised by his mother, Gloria, who became a single parent at just 16, LeBron’s journey was built on resilience, sacrifice, and unwavering love. But the foundation of that strength? Gloria’s mother—Freda James, the woman whose warmth and wisdom helped shape three generations.

In a deeply personal tribute, LeBron dropped the Nike LeBron 21 “Grandma’s Couch” pack on July 12, 2024—a nod to the floral-upholstered sanctuary that was Freda’s living room. The collection features two bold colorways: one navy with red roses, the other light blue with pink blooms—each stitched with green floral embroidery that screams vintage couch vibes, in the best way.

Priced at $225, the sneakers fuse nostalgic storytelling with elite-level performance. Inside, a praying hands emblem is etched onto the insoles—surrounded by LeBron’s championship rings, as if Freda is still watching over his legacy. LeBron captured it all with a heartfelt Instagram post: “Dedicated to my granny Freda! Miss you so much!!!”

LeBron’s late grandmother, Freda James, wasn’t just the heart of the family—she was a cornerstone of her Akron community. A well-known hairstylist in the neighborhood, Freda was celebrated as a “giving woman” who opened her door and heart to many. That light dimmed in 1987, when she tragically passed away from cardiac arrest—a loss that left a lasting imprint on a young LeBron and his mother, Gloria.

LeBron James sends a wholesome message to Gloria on Mother’s Day

Growing up without a father was never easy for LeBron James. Until he found coach Frank Walker, that void was solely filled by Gloria, something LeBron never shied away from acknowledging. So, just like every other year, the King didn’t miss hailing the only person he took orders from (surely Savannah wouldn’t mind). In an IG story, LeBron shared a picture of Gloria with Savannah to wish them a happy Mother’s Day with multiple heart emojis, as no words were needed to express the gratitude he has for the duo.

In a 2014 interview, LeBron said enough to express what Gloria means to him. “I am honored to participate in a project that is trying to help single mothers who are struggling to make a living and raise their kids, because that perfectly describes my mother when I was growing up. You think LeBron James is a champion? Gloria James is a champion too. She’s my champion,” he told TODAY.

After Freda’s passing, Gloria lost her paternal home and moved from place to place with a young LeBron. Describing it as a “scary” experience, LeBron confirmed how Gloria worked tirelessly to make ends meet.

After spending a year with the aforementioned Walker family, LeBron reunited with his mom. Gloria was able to rent a two-bedroom apartment with the help of a government-assistance program. Till high school, the mother-son duo stayed together and after 2003, nothing was the same again for Gloria.

Now with a billionaire status to boast, LeBron James has delivered all the promises he made to himself to make his momma proud. And that’s surely more than enough to console Gloria, who can tell heaven’s dearest Freda – “Mom, I made it.”