Mrs. Shanell Nicole Manuel Blair, 44, lovingly known as “Nikki,” was born on March 31, 1979, to Henry L. Manuel Jr. and Brenda Taylor Manuel in Petersburg, Va. She was educated in the Colorado Springs Public School System, Palmer High School, Class of 1997. Nikki earned an associate degree in early childhood education and went on to be a childcare provider and center director for over 20 years in the Colorado Springs area.
She later received a Bachelor of Science degree in business management with an emphasis in project management. After moving to the East Coast, Nikki was a middle school educator in the Vineland Public School System in New Jersey.
Nikki was baptized and attended New Resurrection Missionary Baptist Church in Colorado Springs, Colo. On Sept. 12, 2003, she was joined in marriage to Jomo Dwayne Blair.
After an unexpected illness, she was mercifully called home to glory on Tuesday, June 6, 2023.
Funeral services were held on Saturday, June 17, 2023, from Bethel Baptist Church, Franktown, with Pastor Bruce Kinchens officiating.
She leaves behind her loving daughter, Cianni La’Bianca Manuel Blair; parents, Henry L. Manuel Jr. and Brenda Taylor Manuel; brother, Henry Manuel III; sister, Latanya Gaskins Sampson; companion, Rico Cintron; her beloved dog, Sasha; four aunts; two uncles; two nephews; one niece; 18 cousins; and special friends, Brieanna Winch, Dawn Haliburton, Darius Rossy, and Leilani Alvaranga.
Arrangements were by the Cooper & Humbles Funeral Co., Accomac.
