Nicole Taylor, one-third of country group Taylor Red, died at 35 following a battle with breast cancer. Her sisters are grieving their bandmate and best friend, but they also shared the hope she found long before cancer.
“I gave my life to Christ when I was around 15 years old,” Nicole said in an earlier testimony included in the announcement of her death.
Her triplet sisters and fellow Taylor Red musicians, Nika and Natalie Taylor, announced Nicole’s death on Instagram Nov. 2. Nicole died Sept. 28 at 35, according to the family’s memorial on the group’s website, which also confirms that the family has held a private funeral service.
“This isn’t a video we ever thought we’d be making. We thought she’d be here sharing her story of earthly healing. Instead, we’re sharing her story of heavenly healing,” her sisters said on Instagram.
Nicole was diagnosed with aggressive stage 3 breast cancer in 2022.
Natalie said, “I just remember breaking down in absolute shock. I was just so surprised. We’ve been blessed with good health our whole life so this was a big shock and it wasn’t what we were expecting. I was crying and ran out to the hallway to tell Nika and I just remember Nicole said, ‘God’s going to use this for his glory.'”
Nika and Natalie described Nicole trying to keep living rather than letting fear set the terms, saying she underwent treatment and even continued CrossFit during chemotherapy.
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In the testimony, which her sisters introduce as a recording from her early 20s, Nicole explained that church involvement had not always meant a personal relationship with Christ. She had attended church, joined the youth group and even played in a Christian band, yet she had relied on her own ideas about being a good person.
That changed one night at church when the Holy Spirit convicted her of her sin and her need for God. Instead of playing music with her sisters during the invitation, she went forward to ask Jesus to save her.
“I committed my life to Jesus Christ,” Nicole said.
She described repenting of her sins and wanting to become more like God each day while recognizing that she needed His help. Nicole also credited God with giving her purpose and joy.
“If you want to do the same, I want to encourage you to do so,” she said.
Nicole initially responded well to treatment, but the cancer returned as stage 4. Her sisters said a later prognosis gave her about three months, though she lived around another year, continuing to travel, work and look for moments of fun.
They had hoped she would recover. Instead, they described finding comfort in her peace before her death and in their belief that she is now healed in heaven.
They concluded the Instagram post with John 3:16: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
Now the family is pointing those who want to honor Nicole toward a memorial page at Samaritan’s Purse, one of her favorite charities.
“She was our leader and our best friend. We are heartbroken, but we know she is in Heaven and will see her again,” Nika and Natalie wrote.
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