Soft-spoken, kind-hearted, a spirit of excellence, family-oriented, a Christian — that was Nichel. With a heart of gold and a quiet elegance, she had remarkable strength of character that always shone through, even during times of adversity. This is the example she set and the legacy she leaves with her children and family. Nichel possessed a smile and dimples that warmed the hearts of all who were in her presence. It is with joy that we celebrate today the life and homegoing of our mother, our daughter, sister, our aunt, our cousin and our friend.

Nichel’s journey began on October 23, 1971 in Fort Lee, Virginia. She was the daughter of MAJ (Ret.) Hallie James Holland and Faye Abrams Holland. On December 26, 2016 in North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, surrounded by her loved ones, Nichel peacefully reached her journey’s end as she was welcomed into the arms of the Most High.

As a child in a military family, Nichel was afforded the opportunity to travel extensively, both in the continental United States and abroad. These experiences as a military dependent helped set the foundation of her outlook on education and acceptance. A 1989 graduate of Columbia High School, Nichel was a member of the marching band for four years. She played the clarinet.  She was also a member of Students in Action for Education (SAE) and a MATE Scholar, which helped her earn a full scholarship to Benedict College. After one semester, she transferred to the University of South Carolina where her sister and three cousins were already enrolled. While at Carolina, Nichel worked as a supervisor at PharMor in Columbia and moved into retail management prior to graduating in 1995 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Retail Management and Merchandising. She worked in retail for several years before taking a job with BlueCross BlueShield and returning to school at Columbia International University, where she earned a Master’s Degree in Education.

In 2009, she received a Doctorate of Philosophy in Educational Leadership and Research from the University of Southern Mississippi at Hattiesburg.  Additionally, she received her Educational Specialist Degree in Educational Leadership and Research from the University of Southern Mississippi.  She also earned a Master’s Degree in Education from Columbia International University (CIU).

After graduating from CIU, Nichel began her career at Alcorn Middle School. She also taught at Hopkins and Saint Andrews Middle Schools in Richland School District One. Dr. Swindler worked in various capacities throughout the educational system serving as team leader, department chair, vertical articulation facilitator, after-school program site coordinator, adult evening school teacher, and as a school district math lead teacher.  She was a Math Teacher in Richland One for twelve years.  Nichel was always a passionate educator!  She thoroughly enjoyed her time teaching children, often those of her former classmates.  While working in Richland School District One, Nichel was twice selected as Teacher of the Year and recognized as a Wal-Mart Teacher of the Year.

Dr. Swindler resided in Hopkinsville, Kentucky with her two children, Mikayla and Mikale, and her nephew Darrien Holland. In 2010, she joined the U.S. Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) School System. As a part of the DoDEA, Dr. Swindler spent her life dedicated to the pursuit of instructing children and committed to excellence in education. She joined the DoDEA School System as a middle school math teacher at Mahaffey Middle School at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. The following year, she began serving as an Assistant Principal at Lincoln Elementary School. In 2016, Dr. Swindler moved to the new elementary school at Fort Campbell. At the time of her passing, she was the Assistant Principal at Barsanti Elementary School at Fort Campbell.

When she was not at school, Nichel loved reading, doing puzzles and spending time with family. She was an avid puzzle solver, working everything from crosswords to Suduko and oversized jigsaw puzzles. Nichel was a proud Gamecock! She loved a good Gamecock game, whether it be football, basketball or baseball.  When she moved to Hopkinsville, she would make it a point to attend Carolina games against UT, Vanderbilt or UK. Always wanting to be in the presence of the Lord, Nichel was a dedicated member of Bible Way Church of Atlas Road in Columbia, South Carolina, maintaining her status even when she moved to Kentucky. She regularly attended Cedar Grove Baptist Church in Hopkinsville. She was a devoted woman of God, who lived a life full of unwavering faith.

A proud and loving mother, Dr. Swindler is survived by her daughter, Mikayla Nichel, and son, Mikale James Swindler; father, MAJ (Ret.) Hallie James Holland of Aiken, SC, and mother, Faye Abrams Holland of Columbia, SC; sister, Nicole Holland of Columbia, SC; two nephews, who were like sons, Darrien Holland of Hopkinsville, KY and DeForest Williams of Columbia, SC; uncles: Mack Henry (Brenda) Holland, Rev. Dr. James W. (Marilyn) Abrams, Jr. and Willie James Abrams, Sr.; aunts: Delores Alfreda Stewart, Gloria Loretta Holland-Curry, Brenda Joyce (Daniel Jr.) Lloyd and Beverly Jane (Frank) Hart; cousins: Mack H. Holland, Jr., Cynthia Holland, Michael (Tijuana) Carolina, Kimberly Holland, Matthew (Elesha) Bridgers, Michele (Eric) Ammonds, Joseph (Latrice) Jones, Gena Jones, Andrew Smith, Keisha Lloyd-Kennedy, Candy (Dennis) Creech, Mickelle (Jose) Nieves, Niya Lloyd, Brendan Lloyd, Kevin (Emma) Hart, Ken (Shaun) Hart, Keith (Wilhelmina) Hart, Rashaan Abrams, James W. (Rashanda) Abrams, III, Shayla Abrams, Summer Abrams, Jordan Abrams, Kendall Abrams, Chandler Abrams and Willie James Abrams, Jr. and a host of other second cousins, loving relatives and friends. Nichel was predeceased by her paternal grandparents, Mr. William Hallie and Mrs. Dessie Mae Hicks of Aiken, SC; maternal grandparents, Deacon James W. and Mrs. Beulah Abrams, Sr. of Columbia, SC; and her aunt, Vivian Abrams.