13 things about Akron, Ohio native Freda James Howard

Freda Mills Golson James Howard was an American woman born and raised in Akron, Summit County, Ohio, United States. Her grandson LeBron Raymone James made his National Basketball Association debut on October 29, 2003.

BIOGRAPHY

Lebron’s mother Gloria Marie James is Howard and Cantona James‘ daughter. Gloria and LeBron lived with Freda in Freda’s house in Akron.

Howard and Cantona have three children together. Here are 13 more things about her:

1. She is George Edward Golson and Constance Deloris Gay‘s daughter.
2. Her maternal grandparents are Leroy Gay and Frances Marie Anderson.
3. She is Leroy Gay, Gloria Gray, Frances Morales, Carol Edwards and Jacqueline Gay‘s niece.
4. She has one brother named Joseph Mills and one step-brother named Steve Nelson.
5. She has four sisters namely Pearl Mills, Julia Robertson, Diane Iverson and Gwen Gamblin.
6. She worked at the Western Reserve Psychiatric Habilitation Center in Hudson, Summit County for 22 years.
7. In 1964, she gave birth to Terry James.
8. In 1968, she gave birth to Gloria.
9. In 1974, she gave birth to Curtis James.
10. On December 30, 1984, her daughter Gloria gave birth to LeBron.
11. On May 4, 1986, her mother died in Akron at age 55.
12. On September 6, 1987, she turned 42.
13. On December 25, 1987, she suffered a heart attack and died at St. Thomas Hospital in Akron.

On August 14, 2023, LeBron took to Instagram to pay tribute to Howard. He wrote, “I miss you, Granny. Wish you were still here.”

In May 2024, Gloria was interviewed in Akron by 3News anchor Danita Harris. On December 30, 2024, LeBron turned 40.