Taylor Elizabeth Lynn Cummines

Taylor Elizabeth Lynn Cummines, 26, of Medora, passed away on Monday, July 7, 2025, following a tragic car accident. There’s no easy way to explain the loss of someone like Taylor. She was someone so full of life, so rooted in love, and so unforgettable in every way. Her absence is heavy, but her love, her laughter, and her spark live on in all the people who were lucky enough to know her.

Born October 5, 1998, in Jerseyville, Illinois, she was the daughter of Paul Cummines and Heather Nicole “Nikie” (DeWitt) Lawson. She grew up in Jerseyville, homeschooled and raised in a loud, loyal, deeply connected family. From the beginning, Taylor had a strong presence. She didn’t just walk into a room, she showed up in it. 

Taylor was the kind of person who could make you laugh even on your worst day. She had a quick wit, a contagious laugh, and the kind of personality that made people feel instantly at ease. She was the life of the party, whether that party was a concert, a birthday gathering, or just a Tuesday night at home. She made ordinary moments feel special and never missed an opportunity to turn up the music and dance, especially if there was a good band playing. And maybe a little Fireball, too.

She was also the kind of daughter who never drifted far from home. She stayed close to her parents and family, carrying the love they gave her into everything she did. She had her own way of doing things - borrowing a few things here and there from her mom’s house (a roll of toilet paper, a candle, maybe a few groceries) - but it was less about what she took and more about knowing her mom was always there when she needed something. 

At the heart of Taylor’s world were her three children: Finlee (5), Bodi (3), and Lovelynn (1). They were her whole universe. She poured everything into being their mom. She showed up every day with love, patience, and strength, raising her babies with the kind of presence that made them feel seen, safe, and deeply loved. She celebrated their big milestones, but never missed the little ones either. The messy faces, the bedtime snuggles, and the wild rides on dirt bikes in the backyard are where her heart lived.

Taylor shared her life with her fiancé, Drew Jackson. Their love was something special, real and raw and full of laughter. Together, they built a home full of chaos and joy, with love at the center of it all. They were partners in the truest sense. They held each other through the hard days, laughing through the good ones, and raising their children side by side. Drew was her person. And their time together, no matter how short, was filled with memories that will be held forever.

She worked hard and loved harder. Taylor was the kind of person who loved hard and held on tight. Once you were hers, you were hers for life. She showed up without being asked, stood by the people she cared about, and never hesitated to let you know she had your back. As a sister, she was protective and proud. As a granddaughter and niece, she stayed close and never took family for granted. She was a devoted aunt who lit up around the kids and made every moment with them feel special. And as a friend, she was the kind you could count on—the one who remembered the little things, who made space for you, and who showed her love not just in words, but in how she lived.

Taylor began her working years at 3rd Chute in Grafton and Longneckers in Batchtown, where she made lifelong friends and became a local favorite behind the bar. Later, she earned her certification as a dental assistant and stepped into a career that allowed her to care for others with the same heart she brought to everything. She spent three years at St. Louis Urgent Dental, and for the past year, she worked at Maple Summit Dental in Jerseyville. She was more than a coworker, she was family. She had a way of making workdays better, patients feel at ease, and Dr. Hargrave stay on his toes, thanks to her love of a good prank or spontaneous TikTok.  She brought light and laughter into every space she entered.

Taylor leaves behind so many people who loved her deeply, including  her fiancé, Drew Jackson of Medora; and their three children, Finlee, Bodi, and Lovelynn. Her parents: Paul Cummines of Shipman, and Nikie (Everett) Lawson of Medora. Her siblings: Shailey Cummines of Bullhead City, AZ; Mercedes (Travis) Mace of Bullhead City, AZ; Scott (Alicia) Miller of Jerseyville; Jake Miller of Clarksville, TN; Dylan (Emily) Lawson of Brighton; Brendan Lawson (Jason Heeren) of Alton; Dalton Lawson of Brighton; Garrett Lawson of Carrollton; PJ Cummines (Emily Jackson) of Bullhead City, AZ; and Zach Long of Jerseyville.

She is also survived by her grandfather, James Lane of Godfrey, and her grandmother, Sandy DeWitt of Jerseyville, along with countless aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends who all carry a piece of her with them. She was also loved as a daughter by Drew’s parents, Mike (Jamie) Jackson and Jody Jackson, and by their entire extended family.

She was preceded in death by her grandparents: Paul Cummines, Donna Lane, and James DeWitt..

Taylor’s story is one of love - real, raw, wholehearted love. She gave it freely and without hesitation. And that love lives on in her children, in her family, in the memories made around kitchen tables, firepits, work breakrooms, and dance floors. Her light may be gone from this world, but it shines in the lives she helped build and in the people who will carry her with them forever. 

Visitation will be held from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., Thursday, July 17, 2025, at Crawford Funeral Home in Jerseyville. Funeral services will be conducted at 10:00 a.m., Friday at the funeral home. She will be laid to rest at Medora Cemetery.

Memorials may be given to the family, in care of Crawford Funeral Home, to assist with funeral expenses and to help support the care of her three children.

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