R&B singer Mario took to Instagram to share that his mother, Shawntia Hardaway, has passed away. The singer shared a throwback picture of his mom alongside himself.

See His Post Below:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BU25vXfgcKT/?taken-by=marioworldwide

Your Soul Lives Forever Beside Mine:

The details of Shawntia Hardy’s death has not been shared, but Mario’s love for his mother has always been public. In an effort to save her life, Mario starred in a MTV documentary in October of 2007 entitled,  I Won’t Love You to Death: The Story of Mario and His Mom. The documentary chronicled the Baltimore native as he tried his best to help his mother beat her heroin addition. Many of us Old Schoolers, may remember the ‘sex symbol’ singer from his debut song, “Just a Friend” to his later breakout, the Ne-Yo-penned “Let Me Love You.” However, what many fans may not have known is that while Mario’s singing career was taking off, his mother’s drug addiction weighed heavy on him. His mother often wanted to travel with him, but Mario wouldn’t allow it until she was fully “clear,” meaning drug-free. Sadly, his mother publicly stated that her addiction wouldn’t be over until she said it was over. In the end though, after much determination, his mother decides to enter treatment at a facility in Los Angeles.

I’m tired of living my life in the bathroom, she tells Mario.  ‘Cause one day I may go in there and never come out.

See Clip Of Mario Confronting His Mom About Her Addiction Below:

Back in 2008, the singer started a charity to mentor and support children of drug addicts. The Sun reported that the charity was a personal cause, as his mother has struggled for years with heroin addiction. At that time,  Mario was proud to announce that his mother had been sober for a year and she had been helping him with his foundation. While their love for each other was apparent, their relationship wasn’t without turbulence.

In October 2010, Mario was charged with second-degree assault after he allegedly pushed her. The singer was arrested when his mother phoned the police and informed them that Mario was in their home “throwing and damaging property” and “started yelling at her and he used his hands and forearms and pushed her in the chest and shoulder area causing minor pain and discomfort.” According to TMZ, police officers found several broken items inside the apartment — including a broken china cabinet, a busted mirror and a hole in the closet door. Mario, whose real name is Mario Dewar Barrett, was eventually arrested for 2nd degree assault and he was released on $50,000 bond. In addition, his mother dropped the charges.

After Mario’s arrest, the singer’s lawyer, William “Hassan” Murphy III, referenced Hardaway’s substance abuse issues in a statement to MTV News.

This is an unfortunate incident between a loving son and a mother who continues to struggle with a devastating addiction, Murphy said. Anyone who has waged the battle to save loved ones from the forces of drugs knows the irrational behavior that almost always accompanies their actions. Despite the allegations, Mario remains committed to supporting his mother

In 2013, the former Dancing With The Stars contestant spoke with Madame Noire to provide a status update about the relationship between him and his mom. After the debacle of him being arrested, the singer chose to move away from his mom to give her some personal space. The distance between the two seemed to strengthen their relationship.

“There are so many different variables but we’re good. We have better communication, better respect and understanding. And I think that us being away from one another for a little bit. After that, I moved to LA and she stayed in Maryland. That space allowed her to be a woman instead of me being the guardian over her telling her what to do. It allowed me to grow as a man, and it allowed her to decide where she wanted her life to go. At some point as a recovering addict, she had to decide where she wanted her life to go. This past year and a half or two that we’ve been apart, I’ve tried to let her do her and me focus on my career. I have to focus on being a better friend, son and a healthy individual and that, in turn, will help both of us.”

The love that Mario had for his mother was deep and our prayers are with him.