26-Year-Old Ohio Mom and Unborn Baby Killed in Devastating Crash, Leaving Behind Husband and Son

Lifestyle
Paul Johns
February 13, 2025
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8 minutes read

(Image: Obituary/GoFundMe)

Josylin “Josie” Ash Cunningham, a 26-year-old Ohio mother in her second trimester, tragically lost her life in a devastating car accident on February 5, leaving behind her one-year-old son, Jude, and her husband, Dustin.

Josie, who was pregnant with her unborn son, Silas Larry Cunningham, was remembered as a woman who “exuded love and joy” by her loved ones and community. A dedicated member of her local Church of Christ, Josie was known for her unwavering faith and love for her family.

She and Dustin married in 2019 and built their home on the Cunningham family farm in Coolville, where she embraced the farming lifestyle. According to her obituary in the Marietta Times, Josie often spoke fondly of life on the farm, caring for animals, and canning food from their garden.

Josie graduated with honors from Washington State Community College in 2019, earning an associate degree in Respiratory Therapy. Her obituary highlighted her patience as a mother and her deep devotion to her faith, often spending quiet moments reading her Bible.

Josie was described as ‘kind and joyful’ in a heartbreaking tribute (Image: GoFundMe)

“Josie’s greatest desire would be that others loved and obeyed Jesus as she did,” it read. The tragedy has sparked an outpouring of support, with nearly $30,000 raised through a GoFundMe campaign to support Jude, who was diagnosed in utero with Transposition of the Great Arteries, a rare and life-threatening congenital heart defect.

Scott McDermot, a friend of Dustin and the fundraiser’s organizer, expressed gratitude for the community’s generosity. “We are all so grateful that our community has come together to provide a brighter future for Jude,” he said. Josie’s funeral will be held on Saturday at the Leavitt Funeral Home in Belpre, followed by private graveside services at the Cunningham Family Farm.

Visitation is scheduled for Friday from 2-4 PM and 6-8 PM, and Saturday one hour prior to the service. As the community mourns, Josie’s legacy of love, faith, and joy continues to inspire those who know her. “She will forever be deeply loved and cherished,” her obituary concluded.