Frankie Lons, the mother of R&B singer Keyshia Cole’s, has unfortunately passed away. Frankie herself became famous to the world as we watched Frankie on Keyshia Cole’s hit reality show, Keyshia Cole: The Way It Is in 2006. The world fell in love with her spunky, tell-it-like-it-is personality and her transparency as she shared her struggles with substance abuse.
Keyshia was inially given up by Frankie and her biological father, Virgil Hunter, for adoption at a very young age. She ended up being raised by family friends and reunited with her birth parents later in life as an adult, after she made a name for herself in the music industry.
Keyshia Cole’s niece Zayya Henderson shared the sad news on her social media page. She writes:
“D*** grandma Frankie the call I just got on your birthday. I was just Finna come see you this week I just talked to you happy birthday beautiful and rest in heaven”
The R&B singer’s brother, Sam, tells TMZ.com that Frankie overdosed at her Oakland home Sunday, the same day she was celebrating her born day, when she apparently took drugs while partying. This was a relapse on what has been a long, hard-fought journey to sobriety.
As of March of 2020, just before the pandemic lockdowns took full effect, Frankie hit a huge benchmark: staying 60 days sober, something her daughter was proud to share with her IG fans and followers. She has yet to comment on her mother’s death.
Keisha always kept tabs on her mom and mentioned how her mom’s relapses and sobriety journey affected her.
View this post on Instagram
“Every time my mom relapse, it breaks my heart more than it’s already been broken,”
wrote Keisha on a heartfelt Instagram video post. “I’m hoping if any of u are dealing with a family member who’s battling with drug addiction, that you, yourself are learning how to cope with the struggle of it all. And all the pain it brings to see a loved one constantly relapsing. See them go back to the streets Because that’s what they’re used to, or would rather be. I really miss you! And will always love you.”
Keisha’s sister, Elite Noel, also shared a few words.
“Worse pain ever…To see my mama in a body bag on her birthday! My heart is so