Nikole Lea (Smith) Stephen

Nikole Lea (Smith) Stephen, 46, of Newton died, after a two-year battle with ovarian cancer, on Wednesday, October 23, 2019, at MercyOne Newton Medical Center. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, October 28, 2019, at the Wallace Family Funeral Home and Crematory. The family will greet friends during a luncheon following the service at the funeral home. Memorials to the Jasper County Animal Rescue League may be left at the funeral home. 

Nikole, the daughter of Darrell and Pam (Tabor) Smith, was born on April 6, 1973 in Newton. She grew up in Newton and graduated from Newton High School in 1991. At the age of 19, Nikole was diagnosed with MS, and despite her struggles, she always had a smile and never complained. In her earlier years, she worked in medical billing and handled insurance for Skiff Medical Center. She was blessed with a daughter, Jordyn Stephen. 

Nikole was very creative and enjoyed taking pictures, creating scrapbooks with her daughter, playing Candy Crush Saga, and watching game shows. She loved spending time with her daughter’s dog, Blue, who was known to sleep next to Nikole.  

Nikole is survived by her daughter, Jordyn Stephen of Newton; parents, Darrell and Pam Smith of Newton; sister, Robin Southern of Newton; nephew, Brock Southern of Newton; paternal grandmother, Marjorie Smith of Monroe; Jordyn’s father, Bill Stephen of Newton; and good friend, Melissa Gilchrist. She was preceded in death by her paternal grandfather, Lloyd Smith; maternal grandparents, Robert and Pauline Tabor; and Aunt, Paula (Tabor) Ervin. 

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