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Francine “Frankie” Lons, 61
Lons suffered an overdose and battled drug addiction for years. The official cause of death is pending from the Alameda County Medical Examiner.
Frankie Lons, biological mother to R & B’s Keyshia Cole, 39, (adopted by Leon and Yvonne Cole at 2 years old) died in her Oakland home on 81st Avenue of an overdoes on July 19, 2021, her 61st birthday.
Lons suffered an overdose and battled drug addiction for years. The official cause of death is pending from the Alameda County Medical Examiner.
Elite Noel, Cole’s sister said on Instagram: “[w]orst pain ever . . . to see my mama in a body bag on her birthday!”
In 2018 via Instagram Cole said: “[e]very time my mom relapse, it breaks my heart more than it’s already been broken, 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.”
Lons appeared with Cole on reality shows including “Keyshia Cole: The Way It Is” and was on her own reality show, ‘Frankie & Neffe” with her daughter, Nefferteria Pugh.
In Keyshia Cole: My New Life which aired in 2019 Lons told Cole: “[i]f I die today, you’ve got to move on and you’ve got to make it. You’ve got to live for Keyshia. You have to live for you and your family. . . . At the end of the day, you’ll see me later, up there.”
Cole has issued no statement at this time.
Yahoo! News, People Magazine, and Entertainment Weekly were sources for this report.
