Bonnie Nicholas

Bonnie Barr Nicholas, 75, passed away February 10, 2021 in Sikeston, Missouri. Bonnie was born in Memphis, TN to Eugenia and A.J. Barr on May 14, 1945. Early on, her creativity and talent were evident in both her academic and artistic endeavors. At Treadwell High School, she was involved in many organizations, elected Senior Class President, cheered on the varsity squad, and graduated from in the top 1% of her class with several honors. Bonnie graduated from Memphis State University with a B.B.A. in Business Administration. After completing two semesters of a Master of Business Administration program, she decided to switch to Art, her “true love”. She subsequently completed more than thirty hours of graduate art courses. Bonnie met her future husband, Lowell Nicholas, while he was attending the University of Tennessee Dental College.

Bonnie painted in both oil and water colors for more than thirty-five years. She was an accomplished artist having sold more than a hundred paintings early in her career. She taught art throughout her career, including five years at the prestigious Anthony School in Little Rock. In addition, Bonnie has considerable sewing and design skills. She spent more than a year in a structured and detailed “couture” sewing course. In her earlier years, Bonnie combined her painting and sewing skills and created extraordinary gifts for family and friends such as jewelry, hair accessories, clothing, and pillows. She was encouraged by friends to market these gifts commercially. In 1991, Bonnie founded Fiber Arts with a focus on designer pillows, each pillow individually painted in acrylic or fabric dye with as many as seventy-five different designs.

Initially, Bonnie marketed to exclusive gift shops in Arkansas. In 1992, Bonnie’s creations were featured at the “gift” market in Dallas which sold all over the world. Her pillows were an instant sensation. The buyer’s rep ceased new orders on the second day, so Bonnie could fill the large amount of orders received during those two days. In 1994, Bonnie’s pillows were introduced into the New York gift market. Her pillows were featured at Caroline Kennedy’s shop in Central Park, Caroline Bunker Hunt’s “Stanley Korshak” in Dallas, and three exclusive stores in Hilton Head, S.C., Palm Beach and Palm Springs. Bonnie’s unique and beautiful silk pillows adorned with pet portraits were commissioned privately as well by many such as Oprah Winfrey, Mrs. Ross Perot, Caroline Kennedy, Richard Simmons, and members of the Eli Lilly family. Later in life, her creativity and talent developed into her passion for quilting and a love for her quilting guild in Sikeston, Missouri.

Bonnie was preceded in death by her beloved husband of fifty years, Lowell Nicholas. She is survived by her 4 children and 8 grandchildren. Kemp Nicholas is a Certified Public Accountant and resides in Houston, Texas. Dr. Nicole Pearce (David) is a professor at Texas A & M University and resides in Commerce, Texas with her husband and 2 children, Luke and Rachel. Tara Hux (Jeff) is a nurse practitioner and resides in Sikeston, Missouri with her husband and 3 children, Nicholas, Connor, and Savannah. Dr. Kremer Nicholas (Suzanne) is a radiologist and resides in Fayetteville, Arkansas with his 3 children, Caroline, Wesley, and Jake.

Bonnie was loved and cherished by friends and family and will be missed by all those she

touched.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, February 20, 2021 from 10:00 a.m. until time of funeral service at 11:00 a.m. at Nunnelee Funeral Chapel in Sikeston, Missouri.

Private interment will follow at New Hope Cemetery in Pollard, Arkansas.

Online condolences may be shared at www.nunneleefuneralchapel.com