Nicole Smith

Nicole Alexandra Smith, 45, of Greensboro, died Saturday, Sept. 9, from complications of pseudotumor cerebri, an illness she struggled with for nearly two decades. Born May 3, 1972, in Winston-Salem, the sixth child of Donald G. and Roberta Smith, she was named for her Austrian great-grandfather, Nicholas Zuraw and his sister Alexandra. She attended St. Leo Catholic School and Bishop McGuinness High School, where she was an active athlete. She graduated from Greensboro College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sports Training. Nikki was an ardent and devoted athlete in soccer and, most notably, as a swimmer born to the water. At age 2, the fearless Nikki jumped into the Polo Pool deep end, causing alarm among the lifeguards-until she bobbed up and swam to the side, laughing. She continued making waves as a lifeguard at Myrtle Beach in her late teens. More recently, while swimming in the ocean, she was joined by a pod of wild dolphins, which she described as "the experience of a lifetime." Just three weeks ago, she launched into a triathlon with the butterfly stroke. Every day, she tucked into her daughter Emma's lunch a note on a napkin packed with empowerment, encouragement and love. One note says:"Dear Emma, I'm a better person just from being your mom. Love, Mom XXX". Her steadfast companion and therapy dog, Pearl the blue merle collie, brought her intuitive dedication to Nikki's side for almost 13 years. Pearl's recent death was heart-breaking to Nikki. Another puppy, Nala, a Labrador-boxer mix, had recently joined the family. Today, her garden has okra ready to cut and tomatoes ripening next to a riotous tangle of sunflowers, which she planted every year. She cultivated hope in her garden, as in her life and the lives of those around her.
Nikki is survived by her children, Emma Cook of Greensboro and Duncan Kelly of High Point; both parents, of Winston-Salem; siblings Donald Smith Jr. (Jan) of Pennsylvania, Jeff Smith (Kim) of Florida, Brian Smith, Marcy Smith (Joe Miller) of Hillsborough, and Chris Smith of California; and nieces and nephews, including Stephanie and Alexander Smith, Sara Smith, Ben and Kate Rice, and Heidi and Christopher Parr.
Visitation will be Thursday, September 14, 2017 from 6-8 p.m. at Hayworth-Miller Funeral Home, Silas Creek Parkway, Winston-Salem. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, September 15, 2017 at St. Leo the Great Catholic Church in Winston-Salem with Fr. Brian J. Cook celebrating. Interment will follow in Westlawn Gardens of Memory in Clemmons. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Leo Catholic School, 335 Springdale Ave, Winston-Salem, 27104, (336) 724-0561 for a student scholarship in Nikki's name, or to Canine Partners for Life, a nonprofit service dog training organization (k94life.org).
Online condolences may be made at www.hayworth-miller.com.

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