Queen Latifah melts hearts with throwback picture of her mother on the star's graduation day

Queen Latifah remembers her mother Rita Owens on her latest Instagram post, seven months after she passed away from a heart condition. Latifah has been open about how hard it was to lose her mom, but she remains hopeful about the future.

The actress, rapper and businesswoman took to her Instagram account to post a throwback photo from her graduation day. In the shot, one of her dear friends from high school is posing alongside Mrs. Owens.

In the pic, Rita Owens looks happy and glowing with pride wearing a white dress, pearl necklace, and a brown purse, as she poses next to the excited student who was rocking a white graduation gown and her diploma on the one hand.

“My Mommy the Teacher and my homie scrromie Crystal at graduation years ago! I just love the Joy in this flick!” Latifah captioned the adorable photo.

FANS’ REACTIONS

Fans took over the “Girls’ Trip” star comment section to share their thought on the photo:

“An awesome mother a teacher to you and so many individuals, thank God for such a jewel. A beacon of light, thank you for being a teacher, history maker, a trailblazer, and a phenomenal and extraordinary woman.” - @vasage8

“Mrs. Owen's was more than just a Teacher of Art...She taught us Life Lessons and her door was always open.” - @nowjusticeborn

“I'm feeling the love in this picture. Hayyy Queen, your Mom is watching over you and the sweetest guardian angel you could dream of. She will love you eternally.” - @tonipettus

HONORING HER MOM

Last month, Latifah shared another pic with her mom on the 6-month anniversary of her death. She captioned it:

“6 Months ago today I said bye for now to the first smile I’d ever seen. I miss you So much, Mommy. I know you’re there and I can’t wait to see that smile again. Till then 143…”

Mrs. Owens had been fighting with a heart condition for years, and her daughter was one of her primary caregivers, sharing her duties with relatives and a nurse whenever she had to be away for work.

In her first appearance after Rita’s passing, Latifah attended the “My Black is Beautiful” panel at the Essence Festival last July, and talking about the most important lesson she learned from her mom, the star said:

“I watched her give back all my life. So giving back is not even an option. It’s a requirement. She would always say that thing “to those much is given much is required.” But that’s not so much a burden that is a gift.”

Latifah also gushed about how her mom was the type of teacher that all the students loved. Aside from raising her and her brother, Rita was also a maternal figure for many other teenagers at school. “If you were getting abused at home and you couldn’t tell anybody you came to my mother. She was that type of teacher,” she stated.

Despite the immense pain of losing “the love of her life,” Latifah continues working incessantly and giving back to the community, just like her mother taught her.