Obituaries

Rachel Erwine

September 16, 1984 - May 19, 2026

It is with the a profound sadness and all of our love, that we share Rachel Catheryn Erwine completed her courageous journey with cancer, passing away on May 19, 2026, in Lakeland, Florida. Born on September 16, 1984, in Bartow, Florida. Rachel lived life the way she loved — fully, stubbornly, and all-in. Everything was on her terms. Rachel didn’t just live her life; she insisted on it.

She had a heart of gold and a fierce determination to match, forever fighting for more time with her four sons. Anyone who knew her – knew her boys were her whole reason and her greatest joy.

For years, she worked lovingly alongside countless young children, affectionately known as “Ms. Rachel” by the smallest humans she shaped and cared for. She taught precious littles: how to show up as their best selves, to believe that they were capable and most importantly, that they were loved beyond measure.

She was the kind of person whose laughter was contagious — the sort that filled a room (audibly or silently between glances) before you even knew what was funny. Once the joke was out, there was no reeling it back in, certainly not dependent on the location, timing, or seriousness of the event. Being appropriately solemn in moments of expectation, was never her strongest ability.

Rachel loved the earth beneath her feet and the sky above — nature was where she found her peace. She was always reaching toward the next moment, the next adventure, and the next chance to show up for the people she loved.

She is survived by her mother, Lisa Wood; her father by love, Charles Wood; her loving partner and caregiver, Jamie Hanlin; her former husband and steadfast co-parent, Scott Erwine; her four cherished sons, Dylan Erwine, Riley Hanlin, Ryder Erwine, and Jameson Hanlin; her siblings, Chuck Wood, David Wood, Winter Hankins, Dustin Norman, Kevin Strickland, and Destiny Wood; a host of adored nieces and nephews and a wide circle of friends and chosen family who loved her deeply.
She was preceded in death by her biological father, Butch Strickland.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday June 12th at Music Ranch 1920 Banana Rd. Lakeland, FL. 33810 from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Rachel’s honor.

May her legacy of laughter echo loudly in every wild place, fill every family gathering, and in every single moment that deserves to be lived fully and unapologetically — just like Rachel taught us.