Jazmin R. Malson

She was born on August 13, 2001 in Peoria, Illinois, daughter of Carrie (Simerly) Higgins and Vince Malson. Jazmin is survived by her parents, Carrie (Steve) Higgins of Washington and Vince (Nicole Wood) Malson of Metamora; sister, Leila Higgins of Washington; step-sisters, Olivia Lalk of Pekin and Addisyn Wood of Metamora; step-brother Ayshton Wood of Metamora; maternal grandparents, Paul and Ann Marie Simerly of Peoria; maternal step-grandfather, William Higgins of Pekin; great-grandmother, Alice Reta of California; paternal grandparents, Frank and Mickey Malson of East Peoria, paternal great-grandfather Mike Despines of Washington; aunts and uncles, Jason Simerly of Hanna City, Carrie (Gerard) Smith of Pekin, Stacey (Shane) Hayes of Pekin and Brett (Jill) Malson of Georgia; and many other aunts, uncles, cousins and extended family.She was preceded in death by her maternal great-grandparents, Manuel Reta and Thelma Simerly, maternal step-grandmother Lucretia Montgomery, paternal great-grandparents, Bernice and Merl Malson; and paternal great-grandmother, Anne Despines.Jazmin graduated Limestone High School in 2019 with honors. She was a student of Kim’s Academy of Dance for 15 years, eventually becoming a teacher. She loved her students and they adored her.Jazmin was a Biochemistry Major with a Business Minor at Culver-Stockton in Canton, MO, with intent to be a pediatric surgeon in the future. With boundless energy, she took on 20 hours of classwork in her first semester, being named to the Dean’s List and President’s List with a perfect 4.0, all while being the Director of Campus Activities through Chi Omega Fraternity. She worked in the Alumni Office, was a Resident Assistant, and worked in the library. She was also the President of Students Organized for Sustainability. Her goal was to graduate within three years in order to begin medical school so that she could begin saving lives and helping those in need. Her desire to be the best in everything she did gave her the energy to do more than anyone else.Jazmin took on every task and challenge given or asked for, and more. She effortlessly juggled family, dance, college, and as many activities and events as she could, never feeling that all of it was a chore, but seeing it as a mission to learn as much as she could, to help as much as she could, and to spread her love. She reached for the stars in every aspect of her life, doing it all with a mesmerizing smile.The last twenty-four hours of her life happened so suddenly, giving little time for loved ones to even comprehend life without her. While we all grieve and try to gain strength from God and each other, we know that we will walk together once again in His kingdom.Jazmin was a light and an inspiration to all who knew her, especially to her family. Her dreams and ambitions were higher than any of us could imagine, and yet, it was only her first act as a young adult. Now those of us left behind dream of what might have been, but we are all the richer for having had Jazmin in our lives, even if only for a short nineteen years. We can never fill the void left in our hearts, but we will honor Jazmin’s memory by always being the best we can be, as she always strived to do. Until we meet again, our dearest Jazmin.Visitation will be held on Monday, October 5, 2020 from 4-8 p.m. at Davison-Fulton Woolsey-Wilton Funeral Home in Peoria.Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, October 6, 2020 at 11 a.m. also at the funeral home. Burial will be in St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in Metamora.In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Jazmin Malson Scholarship at Culver-Stockton College, One College Hill, Canton, MO 63435.Online condolences may be made at www.woolsey-wilton.com