Fulbright College is deeply saddened by the passing of Nicole Black, a cherished member of the administrative team and the spouse of Aimee Black, a highly esteemed colleague within the college.
Kathryn Sloan, the interim dean of Fulbright College, expressed heartfelt condolences, stating, “We offer our sincerest sympathies and love to Aimee, as well as to all of Nicole’s family and friends. Her absence will be keenly felt by everyone.”
Friends and colleagues are welcome to join together to commemorate Nicole Black’s life and the positive influence she had from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sunday, April 7, at the Siloam Springs Community Building, located at 110 N. Mount Olive St. in Siloam Springs.
During the gathering, attendees are encouraged to participate in a potluck lunch and are kindly asked to bring a side dish, beverages, or desserts to share. Sandwiches and water will be provided at the event.
Nicole Barbara Black, born on June 16, 1986, in Palmerston North, New Zealand, dedicated her life to serving as an aged caregiver on the North Island of New Zealand before relocating to the United States and settling in Arkansas in 2018.
Known for her eagerness to acquire new skills, Nicole was a kind-hearted individual with a profound love for her family. She had a lifelong passion for movies, crafting, and reading, and developed new interests in hiking and exploring flea markets after moving to the United States.
Nicole Black passed away on February 21, 2024, at the age of 37. She is survived by her spouse, Aimee Black, of Siloam Springs; her mother, Julie Barr, and brother, Aaron Bell, of Inglewood, New Zealand; her sister, Kylie (Jeremy) Bason, of New Plymouth, New Zealand; her aunts, Kathryn Moynihan and Allison Swanston, of Wanganui, New Zealand; her sisters-in-law, Mindy Holmes of Baldwin City, Kansas, and Sheri (Tom) Holmes of Lawrence, Kansas; her cousins, Ethan Moynihan and Grey Swanston, of Wanganui, New Zealand; her stepchildren, Josh (Trisha) Black of Concordia, Kansas, Amber (Chance) Black of Lawrence, Kansas, Aubrey (Aaron) Collins of Baldwin City, Kansas, Ariel (Brandon) Black of Wellsville, Kansas, and Akoda Black of Siloam Springs; her nephews, Beric, Jacob, Wyatt, Albie, and Fin Bason, of New Zealand, and Drake and Wesley Martin, of Kansas; her grandchildren, MacKenna, Hunter, Aralynne, HarLynn, Marleigh, Henry, Corb, Briar, and Tyler, of Kansas; her special auntie, Debbie Morris; her lifelong friends, MorTisha Leigh (Richard) Pepper and Erica Perry; and her beloved service dog, Ruby.
Nicole Black is preceded in death by her cherished son, Bradley Aaron Bell; her Nana Audrey Kernohan; her Nana Maureen Swanston; her Papa Ross Swanston; and Mary and Alan Holmes.
Teresa Waddell, the senior director of IT Services for Fulbright College, shared, “Nicole will be deeply missed, and we hope that reminiscing about her life and the love she shared brings some solace. I will always remember her sense of humor. She had a calming presence and a perpetual smile.”
Jan Warren, the office manager and assistant to the chair of the Department of Biological Sciences, concurred, describing Nicole as the ‘Face of Biological Sciences.’
“She was the welcoming smile that greeted visitors seeking assistance at the office,” Warren remarked. “Many within the department who had the privilege of knowing Nicole regarded her as an invaluable asset, and her absence will be profoundly felt.”
Michelle Evans-White, the department chair, emphasized that the faculty, staff, and students of the department greatly appreciated Nicole’s willingness to assist. She was a gentle soul who will be dearly missed by all in the Department of Biological Sciences.
In lieu of floral tributes, donations in memory of Nicole Black are gratefully accepted by her family at the Celebration of Life event on April 7.