Dear Ones,

Nicole entered into this world with love from her parents, Thomas and Betty, her sisters and
extended family in 1969. Nicole attended The Friends School in Mullica Hill and graduated from
Deptford Township High School in New Jersey. Nicole played Deptford Township Softball and
was a valued team outfielder. She had fond memories of her grandparents cheering her on
from the bleachers. Nicole started her spiritual journey at Bethel Woodbury. Upon returning to
the area, before the pandemic, she enjoyed being the driver for her mom, Mr. Harwell, and
Miss Bernice for Sunday services.

Nicole began to demonstrate artistic interest and talent early in life and her parents
encouraged her to pursue her gift. She loved visual communication. She enjoyed creating
paintings and drawings to share with family and friends and won several awards for these early
persist. Nicole continued to cultivate her interest in Fine Art while working at the Philadelphia
Art Museum. Often she would spend special times there with her godmother Eleanor who also
had an interest in Art. She also shared artistic and entrepreneurial interests with her Aunt Faye
and Uncle Steve. Nicole earned a BA degree in Fine/Studio Arts at Grambling State University in
Louisiana. She earned a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Fine Studio Arts at the University of North
Texas. While in Texas, she attended Oakcliff Bible Fellowship in Dallas, and continued to enjoythe online services wherever she was living. She enjoyed showing visitors around Dallas and
treasured visits from her Aunt Mary and Uncle Art.
Nicole received a University Teaching Fellowship and taught in Hunan Province, China. She
devoted the remainder of her professional career to Education. In 2003, she became an
Associate Adjunct Professor at the American International University (AIU online), and became
a devoted instructor of students around the world during her 20+ years tenure. She was also
the proprietress, and CEO, of Creative Soul Workshops (CSW), a coaching program created to
nurture the God-given artistic talents and gifts of others for the Glory of God. She believed in
the power of prayer to God, Inspirational music, and other spiritual disciplines to nurture the
artistic process. In her own words, CSW was founded on the principle that all of us were born
with some creative ability and that it is a God given gift. CSW encourages artists by sharing that
Jesus Christ loves artists who create, and artists who do not. CSW actively encourages artists to
pray to God and ask for His creative gift, and commit their gifts to Him regardless of medium:
whether a fine artist, musician, sculptor or dancer. Nicole was also a culinary artist. In the
kitchen she prepared many exotic recipes and gastronomical delights; Yum! Gumbo, fresh
baked bread, and other tasty delights were always on the table. She enjoyed checking in and
sharing custard with Miss Sandy. She loved Christmastime and Christmas Card exchanges to
keep in touch with relatives. She loved to laugh and shared her special humor and joy often
with family and friends near and far.
Nicole worked tirelessly to help her students become the best they could be. She wanted them
to strive for excellence and she demanded it. She was a popular professor who was known for
sending positive and encouraging messages to her students. Nicole could live and work
anywhere but she decided to return to the neighborhood where it all began for her. Nicole was
a beloved daughter, granddaughter, sister, cousin, niece, friend, student and Teacher. Who
knew her journey would unfold this way? God did.
We love you, Nicole. We will miss you and are grateful for your presence in our lives and your
encouragement of those around the world. Your life and work in Christ speaks for you.