Kentucky New Era Obit Posted November 24, 2012 reads as follows:

Nicole Norsworthy, 38, Murray, died Thursday, Nov. 22, 2012 at her home.

In a story published in the Kentucky New Era in October as part of a pink edition dedicated to Breast Cancer Month, told of her long battle with cancer.

Services will be at 2 p.m., Monday, Nov. 26 at the J.H. Churchill Funeral Home with the Rev. Sammy Cunningham officiating. Burial will follow in the Murray City Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 2 – 8 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 25 at the funeral home.

A native of Christian County, she was born Dec. 8, 1973, the daughter of Betty Lawless, and Kenneth Maynard.

She was a former LPN at Spring Creek Health Care, a member of Grace Baptist Church.

In addition to her parents, survivors include her husband, Chris Norsworthy, a son, Jordan Emanuel Norsworthy, and a daughter, Trinity Beth Norsworthy, a sister, Leann Graefe; and two brothers, Paul G. Asbury and Kenneth D. Maynard.


Memorials may be made to the Norsworthy's Family Children's Fund, 201 South Third St., Murray, Ky. 42071.

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Article posted on 9/24/2012 in the Kentucky New Era reads as follows:

Bikers raise money for brave mother battling breast cancer.


After Nicole Maynard Norsworthy, 38, was diagnosed with cancer, her friends organized the Nicole Maynard Norsworthy benefit ride to raise money for her children.

On Saturday, the parking lot of JPM Performance Powersports on Fort Campbell Boulevard was full as motorcycles rode out all with the intent of supporting Norsworthy's family.


"We organized it in about a month," said Cindy Killebrew, a friend of Norsworthy. "We put it together with JPM (Performance Powersports) and people donated baked goods and things for an auction."


Norsworthy was diagnosed with breast cancer a year ago, however, treatments have not been working, so Norsworthy decided to discontinue treatments and now said she is focusing on ensuring her two children, Jordan, 12, and Trinity, who will be 2 years old next month, will be taken care of.


"I'm not afraid of dying," said Norsworthy, who is from Hopkinsville but lives in Murray. "I just worry about my children."


Many of the riders wore pink in support of the fight against breast cancer. Killebrew, who owns Sassy Stuff Consignment has also been selling T-shirts that read "I wear pink for Nicole" with a butterfly logo on it. Norsworthy said butterflies have a special meaning to her.


"Have you heard of the butterfly effect?" Norsworthy asked. "It's just something that happens and that something can have an effect on something else and that will have an effect on something else and so on and so on. That's how it is now. I have cancer and I see how it affects so many people."


The ride raised $3,000, said Kate Sabatino, who helped organize the event. Those who would like to donate money or learn more can call Sabatino at 270-348-1937. They can also stop by Sassy Stuff Consignment at 2234 Fort Campbell Blvd., or call Killebrew at 270-985-1159.


REACH MONICA K. SMITH at 270-887-3243

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Article posted October 1, 2012 in the Kentucky New Era reads as follows:

Planning another's future


"I'm not afraid to die. I'm just worried about my children."

Those were the words of Nicole Maynard Norsworthy at a benefit motorcycle ride Sept. 22 in her honor. Last year Nicole, 38, was diagnosed with stage four invasive ductal carcinoma.

"She had just given birth to her daughter and was breast feeing," said Nicole's mother, Betty Lawless. "She noticed a lump on the upper part of her breast."

Nicole went to see a plastic surgeon who said the problem was most likely a clogged milk duct and she shouldn't worry about it. The lump continued to grow and a month later Nicole underwent a core biopsy of the lump, but the biopsy was taken on the underside of her breast, not the top part where the lump was located. The result came back negative.

Nicole, who worked as a licensed practical nurse, continued for another month until lumps appeared under her arms. She asked another nurse to look at it. She encouraged her to go back to the doctor. Another biopsy was conducted, this time on the top of the breast.

"When the result came back, the doctor came back with tears in his eyes and said he was sorry, it was cancer," Lawless said.

Nicole discovered she had the final stage of a common type of breast cancer. This cancer develops in the milk ducts of the breasts and then spreads to the surrounding tissues. Tests on the nymph glands showed the breast cancer in Nicole already spread to other parts of her body.

"I was diagnosed June 11, 2011, and the doctors said I had it two years prior to that," Nicole said. "I had surgery on both breasts."

Nicole and her doctors were confident they could get control of her breast cancer. After 16 chemotherapy treatments, Nicole and her mother went to Vanderbilt University Medical Center for another test.

"I was with her when she went, and when she got off the table she said, ‘Oh, my head,' said Lawless. "Every time she sat down or got up she had pain in her head."

Doctors addressed the headaches through a lumbar puncture and discovered the cancer had spread to the meninges — the lining of her brain. She had chemotherapy for the brain, every day for a week, which was hard on both daughter and mother.

"She would become so confused," Lawless said. "It was pitiful to watch. She's my only daughter. (Nicole) said, ‘I'm going to do everything I have to do. I don't care what. I have to live for my children.'"

Lawless said there was hope that the cancer would be beaten. Then Nicole started having convulsions. A month ago she was told she only had weeks to live. There were options of having radiation on the brain, but Nicole was cautioned about side effects.

"Nikki decided enough was enough," said Lawless. "She said there wasn't any sense in having any more treatment. At some point, you have to consider quality of life."

Instead of focusing on the cancer, Nicole chose instead to focus her remaining life on enjoying the time she had left and to prepare the future of her two children, Jordan, 12, and Trinity, who will be 2 years old this month.

"My son knows," Nicole said. "Some days he has trouble but he understands. Trinity is only 2 years old, she doesn't understand. She may sense something but she doesn't understand."

"She wants to die at home because she wants to be with her children," Lawless said. "She has prepared (Jordan). She said, ‘We didn't get good results; I might have to go be with Jesus.' But he said ‘It's OK, momma.' He's a good little Christian boy. He said, ‘You'll be in a better place than me, but I'll miss you.'"

Last month friends of Nicole organized a benefit ride to raise money for Jordan and Trinity. Nicole, who lives in Murray, grew up in Hopkinsville and many participants were old friends who came to show their support, said Cindy Killebrew, a high school friend of Nicole's.

"I saw people I haven't seen in years," Killebrew said. "A lot of people in Hopkinsville knew her as "Glow Bug" because she had bleached blond hair and she was so full of life. She still has life in her."

Riders wore pink in support of Nicole's fight against breast cancer many of them wearing T-shirts that read "I wear pink for Nicole" with a butterfly logo. The event raised $3,000.

"The money is to take care of the kids, their school and college, not for me," Nicole said. "I want it to be for my children and the things they need."

Killebrew said in addition to raising money to provide financially for her children, Nicole also wants to ensure her children don't forget about their mother.

"She's not scared at all of death but she doesn't want to leave," Killebrew said. "I think she wants this for her kids so that when her kids get older they'll have a piece of her here. I don't think she wants her kids to forget about her. That is what scares her."

Nicole has also prepared her burial arrangements, choosing the location of her gravesite and the colors of her flowers. Lawless said Nicole has worked to keep a positive attitude.

"People say what an inspiration she is and they will start crying and she will comfort them," Lawless said. "She comforts them. It amazes me."

"I've kept a sense of humor," Nicole said. "I have days when I'm very positive and days when I'm not. I can still be scared."

Nicole said she relies on her faith during hard days.

"The doctors have done what they can, so now it's in God's hands," she said. "I cry. I don't think it will get better."

REACH MONICA K. SMITH at 270-887-3243 or [email protected].

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