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LeBron James Sends Personal Message to Family Member Who Passed Away 38 Years Ago

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Angelo Guinhawa | Last updated Sep 6, 2025 10:16 PM ET

Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James couldn't help but get emotional on Saturday as he remembered a beloved late family member.

LeBron James has been spending the majority of his offseason staying in game condition and playing golf, but he took the time over the weekend to celebrate the birthday of his grandmother, who passed away in 1987.

His mom, Gloria James, posted a tribute first to honor the special day for her mother and the Lakers star's grandma, Freda James Howard.

"Happy Heavenly Birthday Momma!!!!" Gloria James wrote, along with a photo of her mom's gravestone. "We still truly miss you and we’ll forever be grateful for the short time that we had been blessed to have with you. Continue to rest peacefully and watch over us kids, your grandkid and your great grandkids. We’ll LOVE you forever and a day."

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A post shared by Gloria James (@gloriajames)

LeBron James, for his part, shared his mom's post and added a message of his own dedicated to his grandmother.

"HBD MY [ANGEL] ABOVE!!!" James wrote. "Your Grandson misses you!"

According to a report by ESPN, Freda James Howard died of a heart attack on Christmas day in 1987. What followed were years of instability for the James family, with LeBron James and his mom coming to a point where they had to move "five times in three months during the spring" in 1993.

Fortunately, LeBron James and his mom were able to overcome the hardships. Despite the adversities, the Lakers star still looks back at the old times and fondly remembers his grandma who took care of him when he was young.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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