FORT WORTH – Rachel Elizabeth Taylor, 28, of Fort Worth, Texas, passed away on May 23, 2026. She was born on June 17, 1997, in Fort Worth, and from her earliest days she had a way of quietly making the world around her brighter. Rachel grew up in Aledo, where her gifts showed early. She graduated from Aledo High School in 2015, where she served as Drum Major of the Aledo Bearcat Regiment. A talented clarinetist, she played with the Fort Worth Symphony Youth Orchestra and toured Italy with the orchestra in the summer of 2014 – It was there that she celebrated her 17th birthday and was surprised by an impromptu singing of “Happy Birthday” by a group of Italians. She went on to Texas Christian University, where she studied from 2015 to 2019 as a member of the Honors College, earning a double major in Political Science and Criminal Justice and the distinction of a Chancellor’s Scholarship. At TCU she studied abroad in London and continued her love of music marching with the Fighting Frog Band. She also found lifelong friendships as a member of Chi Omega. Rachel’s drive carried her to Texas A&M School of Law, where she studied from 2019 to 2022. She passed the Bar exam on her first attempt and was immediately hired as an Assistant District Attorney by the Tarrant County District Attorney’s Office. After her time with the DA’s office, she spent a year working with her mom at Learning Friends of Aledo. The children at the school immediately loved her and her mom will cherish that year spent working with her forever. When an opportunity presented itself to go back into law, Rachel joined the law firm of Stenholm & Douglas, P.C. Beyond her accomplishments, Rachel recently discovered a deep love of growing roses and joined the Fort Worth Rose Society. She was the youngest member by far, but she adored that group of passionate gardeners and was quickly embraced as one of their own – going on to serve as Vice President of Membership. She loved learning from them and soon began acquiring numerous varieties of roses for her home. Even as a young child, Rachel had an old soul, and she always treasured the company of older people. Rachel had a rare and beautiful kindness about her – thoughtful, caring, sensitive, and gentle, with a sharp mind and a quick, easy wit. According to her Aledo band family, she also was slightly “salty”. She was spunky and nerdy. Rachel was the kind of person who slipped into a room quietly, never wanting to be the center of attention – and yet everyone always noticed her. She was radiant, and far more interested in hearing about others than talking about herself, always downplaying her own many accomplishments. For ten years Rachel was an only child, until she welcomed her little sister, Rainey, into the family. Despite the decade between them, the two quickly became the very best of friends and shared a beautiful, devoted bond. In 2021, the Taylor family grew once more when they welcomed their bonus daughter, Brooke, into the family. Rachel and Brooke became instant sisters, and Rachel loved both Rainey and Brooke with her whole heart. In Chase Howard, Rachel found her person – the one who knew her heart and loved her completely. He was her soulmate and the love of her life. When you mentioned his name, she would literally light up. They loved each other completely for just over four years and created many beautiful memories together. Rachel’s other love was her dog, Spanky Jane. Rachel brought home this beautiful, delicate dachshund nine years ago and they were inseparable. Just like Rachel, Spanky is kind, delicate, and adorable. Rachel was preceded in death by her grandparents, Paul Nicholson and Ben and Barbara Taylor. She is survived by her parents, Paul and Diane Taylor; her sister Rainey Taylor and her bonus sister, Brooke Miller; her grandmother, Joan Nicholson; her aunts and uncles: David and Nur Nicholson, Ken and Laurie Nicholson, Michael and Jan Flynn, Paula Simmons, Pamela Jurisic, and numerous cousins and their spouses. Rachel’s Celebration of Life will be held on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at Aledo United Methodist Church, 100 Pecan Drive, Aledo, Texas 76008. An interment will follow in Greenwood Memorial Park, 3100 White Settlement Rd., Fort Worth, Texas 76107. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Rachel’s honor to the Fort Worth Rose Society. Please mail checks to: Fort Worth Rose Society, Attention: Jimmy Sanford, Treasurer, 2604 Highgate, Arlington, Texas 76016. GREENWOOD FUNERAL HOME Greenwood Funeral Homes – Cremation 3344 White Settlement Road, Fort Worth, TX 76107 817-336-0584

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