Nico L. Wardell

Nico Laron Wardell, age 20, of Dubuque, was chosen to come home to glory suddenly on Friday, June 1, 2012, during a workout while attending Northwest Community College in South Haven, Mississippi. Funeral services will be on Tuesday, June 12 at 11:00 a.m. at Kingdom Ministries, 2501 Jackson Street, Dubuque, with Pastor Cecilia Lott presiding. To celebrate Nico's life, friends may visit from 10:00 a.m. until the time of services at 11:00 a.m. at the church. Burial will be in Asbury Cemetery. Nico was born on December 29, 1991 in Chicago, IL, son of Tanya Lee Bridges and John Henry Wardell. Nico accepted God in his life at the age of 5, and continued serving Him faithfully until his death at the age of 20. He served the Lord under the leadership and guidance of Praying Women in Prayer and Kingdom Ministries where Pastor Cecilia Lott was his spiritual coach and godmother. Nico loved the Lord, and most of all, he loved being a servant in his Father's house. He attended school at Fulton Elementary School, Roosevelt Middle School and graduated from Hempstead High School, class of 2011. He had just successfully completed his first semester of college at NICC in Peosta. Nico had recently moved to Horn Lake, MS to live with his uncle Greg, Tee-Tee Patsy and cousin Khiry to continue his schooling and pursue his dream of becoming an athletic trainer at Northwest Community College in South Haven, Mississippi . Nico loved basketball and enjoyed playing for Hempstead High School. He was an awesome man of God and was very active in his church. Nico was delingent to God's word, he became without realizing at a very early age that our Father chose him to become the angel on earth he was. He loved helping other people. Nico was very respectful and was always the peacemaker. He was very humble and caring. Nico had a very positive outlook and loved life. He loved his family and was very funny. Nico is survived by his mother, Tanya Bridges, of Dubuque his father, John (Sharon) Wardell, Chicago, IL a brother, Khalil Marquise Simpson, Dubuque, his other siblings, Lil John, Angelo (Katina), Angela, Lewis, Lavon, Roland, Cameron, Jerrell, Unique, Edwin, Edrina and Ebony his grandmother, Jeanine Maria Bridges, Chicago, IL his grandfather, Lee Smith, Dalton, IL his great-grandmother, Jonnie Mae Burnett, Chicago, IL 5 nieces and 5 nephews and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends. He was preceded in death by his grandmother Annie Lee Wardell, his great-grandmothers Beatrice Irene Bridges and Gladys M. Smith, his great-grandfather James Martin Bridges, Sr., grandfather Michael Lee Westley, other uncles and aunts and his "Mama and Papa", Emily and Robert Lott. A Nico Laron Wardell Memorial Fund has been established. I would like to say a special thank you for all your prayers and support of love in my family's time of lost. God bless you all and we love you.