Nicole Rae Langford

Nicole Rae “Nikki” Langford, passed away unexpectedly February 1, 2022 at U of M Health - West, Wyoming, MI, with friends and family by her side. She was a music teacher and a resident of Wyoming, MI. Nicole was the devoted mother of Xavier Turner and caring life partner to Bobby Turner Jr. With immense love and support from Bobby, they were able to establish and maintain a loving family life. She was also an adored daughter of Gloria Sharpe and Van Langford and a loving sister to Kimberly Sharpe. Additionally, she was adored by many nieces, nephews, and friends, all of whom she loved dearly!

Nicole was born October 30, 1977 in Battle Creek, Michigan. She attended Battle Creek Public Schools and graduated from Battle Creek Central in the top ten percent of her class in 1995. During her years of schooling in Battle Creek, at the age of 11, she began her orchestral studies on the violin. Later, she decided to play the cello because she simply could not play the same instrument as her sister. Nicole went on to study biology and music at Albion College. Somewhere along the way, she decided that science was not what she wanted to do and determined that being an orchestra teacher was her true calling. She graduated cum laude from Albion College in Albion, MI in 1999 with a bachelor's in K-12 music education. The Albion College faculty awarded Nicole the Jennie Worthington Cup for the outstanding senior woman in the music department. She completed her junior year at the Zambler Institute in Venice, Italy. She was a member of the Junior Strings program, Battle Creek Youth Orchestra, and the Albion College Orchestra. She attended Blue Lake Fine Arts Camps in Twin Lakes, MI (1990-1994) and toured the midwest and Europe with the International Youth Symphony Orchestra (IYSO). She was a member of Kappa Delta Sorority. She furthered her studies at Michigan State University.

She was an avid lover of music! She loved the great orchestral works as well as the stories, dance, and music in the world of musical theater. However, her greatest passion was opening the world of music to beginners. She worked tirelessly to bring knowledge and inspiration to her orchestra students in Lansing Public Schools in Lansing, MI for six years and finishing with Byron Center Public Schools for 15.5 years. Additionally, she enjoyed creating beauty in all things: arts and crafts, cooking, photography, graphic design, travel, and exploring new cultures. She loved so many things but her greatest love was her son, Xavier. She was so very proud of her boy!

Visitation will be held from 4-7 p.m. Friday, February 11, 2022 at Cook Funeral Home - Byron Center Chapel, 2067 84th St. SW, Byron Center, MI 49315. A Celebration of Life is being planned in March for all of Nicole's Byron Center family, friends and colleagues to attend. Information regarding this will be posted at a later date. Masks are requested by the family at both events. In memory of Nicole and in lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Byron Center Fine Arts Boosters (BCFAB) or to support the family https://gofund.me/fe1e4855. The family welcomes memories and messages in their guest book online at www.cookcaresbyron.com.