Nichelle
Nichols,
who
played
the
role
of
communications
officer
Lieutenant
Nyota
Uhura
in
original
Star
Trek
TV
series,
passed
away
on
Saturday,
July
30
in
Silver
City,
New
Mexico
in
the
United
States.
She
was
89.
Nichelle's
son
Kyle
Johnson
took
to
Facebook
to
announce
the
news.
He
mentioned
in
his
post
that
his
mother
had
succumbed
to
natural
causes,
seven
years
after
she
suffered
a
stroke.
Sharing
the
news
on
Facebook
from
her
account,
her
son,
Kyle
wrote,
"Friends,
Fans,
Colleagues,
World.
I
regret
to
inform
you
that
a
great
light
in
the
firmament
no
longer
shines
for
us
as
it
has
for
so
many
years.
Last
night,
my
mother,
Nichelle
Nichols,
succumbed
to
natural
causes
and
passed
away.
Her
light
however,
like
the
ancient
galaxies
now
being
seen
for
the
first
time,
will
remain
for
us
and
future
generations
to
enjoy,
learn
from,
and
draw
inspiration.
Hers
was
a
life
well
lived
and
as
such
a
model
for
us
all."
He
added,
"I,
and
the
rest
of
our
family,
would
appreciate
your
patience
and
forbearance
as
we
grieve
her
loss
until
we
can
recover
sufficiently
to
speak
further.
Her
services
will
be
for
family
members
and
the
closest
of
her
friends
and
we
request
that
her
and
our
privacy
be
respected.
Live
Long
and
Prosper,
Kyle
Johnson."
Tributes
poured
in
for
Nichols
on
social
media.
Director
JJ
Abrams
wrote
on
Twitter,
"A
remarkable
woman
in
a
remarkable
role.
Nichelle,
you
will
be
deeply
missed.
Sending
much
love
and
respect."
William
Shatner
wrote,
"I
am
so
sorry
to
hear
about
the
passing
of
Nichelle.
She
was
a
beautiful
woman
&
played
an
admirable
character
that
did
so
much
for
redefining
social
issues
both
here
in
the
US
&
throughout
the
world.
I
will
certainly
miss
her.
Sending
my
love
and
condolences
to
her
family.
Bill."
Nichols
was
born
Grace
Dell
Nichols
in
Robbins,
Illinois,
on
December
28
1932.
She
began
her
career
as
a
dancer
and
nightclub
singer,
but
will
be
remembered
chiefly
for
her
acting
role
in
the
sci-fi
adventure
series.