The story of Noel J. Mickelson is one filled with artistry, passion, resilience, and the defiance of societal norms. Known primarily for her marriage to actor John Amos, Noel J. Mickelson was far more than just a wife and mother. She was an artist, an equestrian, and a woman who faced the challenges of an interracial marriage during a tumultuous time in American history. Her story is one of quiet strength and creative brilliance, a narrative that deserves to be explored not only in the context of her relationship but in her own right.
In this article, we’ll delve deep into who Noel J. Mickelson was, the legacy she left behind, and how her life intersected with the cultural issues of her time. As always, here at easybibs, we bring you stories of remarkable lives, and Noel J. Mickelson is no exception.
Early Life and Background
Noel J. Mickelson was born in Iowa, in a small town that might seem worlds away from the cultural movements she would later be part of. Of Ashkenazi Jewish descent, her family had roots in Eastern Europe, which informed much of her cultural upbringing. While little is documented about her early life, what is known is that she grew up in a time of significant societal change, especially in the United States, where the civil rights movement was gaining momentum.
It was at Colorado State University where her life took a significant turn. There, she met John Amos, a young man who was studying sociology and playing football. Their relationship blossomed quickly, despite the racial tensions of the era. The couple’s love story was one of defiance against societal norms, a bond that would lead to both joy and immense challenges.
A Defiant Love Story
In 1965, Noel J. Mickelson and John Amos made the bold decision to get married. This was no small feat. At the time, interracial marriages were illegal in 16 U.S. states, and their union was considered controversial. However, their love for each other was strong enough to face these barriers, and they married in secret, away from the prying eyes of those who would oppose their union.
Their marriage occurred at the height of the civil rights movement, a time when America was grappling with its long-standing issues of racial discrimination. Noel and John’s relationship became symbolic of the fight for racial equality. Their marriage was eventually legitimized by the 1967 Supreme Court decision in Loving v. Virginia, which struck down laws prohibiting interracial marriages. This victory was a personal one for Noel and John, but also a significant cultural moment that paved the way for future generations of interracial couples.
Motherhood and Family Life
Noel J. Mickelson and John Amos had two children together, Shannon Amos and Kelly Christopher (K.C.) Amos. Both children would go on to have successful careers in the entertainment industry, following in the footsteps of their father, though largely behind the scenes. Shannon Amos became a writer and producer, working with networks like BET and MTV, while K.C. pursued a career in film direction and production, garnering accolades in his own right.
Noel was known to be a nurturing mother who sought to protect her children from the harsh realities of racism. However, as Shannon once recounted, societal prejudices could not always be kept at bay. One particularly harrowing incident involved a racist confrontation where an armed individual threatened their family. It was a stark reminder of the difficulties that came with being part of an interracial family during a time of deep-seated racial tensions in America.
Despite these challenges, Noel raised her children in an environment of creativity and love, instilling in them the same passion for the arts that she carried throughout her own life.
The Artistic Spirit of Noel J. Mickelson
Beyond her role as a wife and mother, Noel J. Mickelson was an artist and equestrian who spent much of her life immersed in creativity. She had a passion for various forms of art, including craftsmanship, which she pursued with dedication. Although her artistic achievements did not gain widespread public recognition, those who knew her spoke of her talent and commitment to her craft. Her creative spirit was something she carried with her throughout her life, a thread that tied her personal interests to her professional endeavors.
Her love for horses was another significant aspect of her life. As an equestrian, Noel was deeply connected to nature and animals, and this passion for equestrianism became one of the defining features of her identity outside of her family life. Even as her marriage ended, she continued to pursue these interests, carving out her own space in the world of arts and equestrian activities.
Divorce and Life After John Amos
In 1975, after ten years of marriage, Noel J. Mickelson and John Amos divorced. While the reasons for their split are not widely discussed, it is clear that their relationship faced many challenges, not least of which was the societal pressure they endured due to their interracial marriage. Despite their separation, the couple remained connected through their children, both of whom maintained strong relationships with both parents.
Following the divorce, Noel led a relatively private life, focusing on her art and equestrian interests. She largely stayed out of the public eye, allowing John Amos to continue his successful acting career, which saw him rise to fame through roles in Good Times and Coming to America. However, Noel’s influence on her family remained significant, particularly in how she inspired her children to pursue their own creative endeavors.
Later Life and Legacy
Noel J. Mickelson passed away in December 2016, surrounded by her loved ones. Although her death did not make major headlines, it marked the end of a life filled with quiet strength and artistic passion. In her final moments, Noel expressed regret about not having traveled more during her life. This regret became a mission for her daughter, Shannon, who took her mother’s ashes and traveled the world, fulfilling Noel’s final wish.
Noel’s legacy, though often overshadowed by the fame of her ex-husband, lives on through her children and the memories of those who knew her. Her daughter, Shannon, frequently speaks of how her mother’s creativity and resilience shaped her own career in the entertainment industry. K.C. Amos, her son, also reflects on the nurturing environment his mother created, which allowed him to pursue his dreams of becoming a director and producer.
John Amos Wife Noel J. Mickelson
Noel J. Mickelson is best known as the first wife of actor John Amos, an actor famous for his roles in Good Times and Coming to America. The two met while John was studying sociology at Colorado State University, and their marriage was groundbreaking because it occurred during a time when interracial marriages were illegal in many states. Their relationship was symbolic of the civil rights struggle, as they boldly defied societal norms to be together. Though their marriage lasted for a decade before they divorced in 1975, Noel and John shared a deep connection and raised two children, Shannon and K.C. Amos, who have both followed creative careers in the entertainment industry.
Is Noel J. Mickelson Still Alive?
Noel J. Mickelson passed away in December 2016. Her death marked the end of a life filled with quiet resilience and artistic passion. While she lived a relatively private life after her divorce from John Amos, Noel left a lasting legacy through her children and her creative pursuits. Her daughter, Shannon Amos, honored Noel’s wish to travel the world by scattering her mother’s ashes in different locations, symbolizing Noel’s unfulfilled dream of exploring more of the globe before her death,
Noel J. Mickelson Wikipedia
As of now, Noel J. Mickelson does not have a dedicated Wikipedia page. Information about her life is largely drawn from interviews and articles that focus on her marriage to John Amos and the impact of their interracial union during a period of significant racial tension in the U.S. Noel’s identity as an artist and equestrian is often overshadowed by her connection to Amos, but her legacy as a nurturing mother and a woman who faced societal barriers with courage continues to be recognized by her family and those who knew her.
Noel J. Mickelson Age
Noel J. Mickelson was born in the United States, but her exact date of birth has not been widely publicized. However, by the time of her death in 2016, she was believed to be in her late seventies or early eighties, based on the timeline of her marriage and the birth of her children. Her life spanned a period of great social change, and her role in breaking racial barriers through her marriage to John Amos places her as a significant figure in that historical context.
Noel J. Mickelson Kids
Noel J. Mickelson had two children with John Amos: Shannon Amos and Kelly Christopher (K.C.) Amos. Shannon is a filmmaker, writer, and producer who has worked with major networks like BET and MTV. She is also known for advocating for her father, John Amos, in recent years and fulfilling her mother’s final wishes by traveling the world. K.C. Amos is a director and producer who has earned recognition in the film industry. Both children credit their parents, especially Noel, for fostering their creative paths and for raising them in an environment that celebrated artistic expression.
Conclusion: Noel J. Mickelson’s Lasting Impact
The life of Noel J. Mickelson is a testament to the strength and resilience of a woman who lived through an extraordinary period of change. From her marriage to John Amos and the challenges of navigating an interracial relationship during the civil rights movement, to her passion for art and equestrianism, Noel’s story is one of quiet defiance and personal fulfillment. Her legacy is felt through her children and the creative spirit she passed on to them.
At easybibs, we celebrate the lives of individuals like Noel J. Mickelson, whose stories may not always make the front pages but whose impact is undeniable. Her life serves as a reminder that sometimes the most profound legacies are built not in the public eye but in the hearts of those we love and nurture. Noel J. Mickelson may not have been a household name, but her contributions to her family and her quiet strength in the face of societal challenges make her a figure worth remembering.
