Influencer Jessica Pettway died at the age of 36 from stage 3 cervical cancer, her sister Reyni said on Instagram on Friday.
Pettway’s sister Reyni – whose account is private – confirmed that her sister had died as she opened up about the grief she felt in a post she made on March 15. E! News reported.
“It’s my birthday today, and the only thing I can wish for is that God brings you back to this earth,” Reyni said. “I lost my beautiful big sister 2 days ago and my heart has never felt such pain.”
The YouTube personality was the mother of two daughters with her husband of 12 years, Michael: Kailee, 10, and Zoi Lee, three, according to Essence.
Pettway had revealed his courageous fight against the deadly disease – and how it was misdiagnosed – in a July 2023 Instagram post.
Influencer Jessica Pettway died at the age of 36 from stage 3 cervical cancer, her sister Reyni said on Instagram on Friday.
In her July 31, 2023 post — which was her first in nine months on the platform — Pettway shared two selfies as she spoke about her health crisis with her followers.
“I took these photos a few days ago, and it’s currently my favorite photo of myself,” Pettway said. “It brings me so much joy to see how far we’ve come, because a few months ago I received devastating news.
“I was diagnosed with stage 3 cancer. I don’t even know where to start, but I want to share why I’ve been gone for so long, in hopes that at least one person will be encouraged by my story.
Pettway said at first he was wrongly diagnosed with fibroids, which the Mayo Clinic says these are common growths of the uterus.
“Uterine fibroids are not cancer, and they almost never turn into cancer,” nor are they “linked to a higher risk of other types of uterine cancer,” according to the clinic Mayo.
The clinic noted that uterine fibroids can also be called leiomyomas or myomas and can “vary in number and size.”
The clinic noted that “many people have uterine fibroids during their lifetime…but you may not know you have them because they often cause no symptoms…your healthcare provider may discover fibroids when a pelvic exam or pregnancy ultrasound.
The YouTube personality was the mother of two daughters with her husband of 12 years, Michael: Kailee, 10, and Zoi Lee, three.
Pettway has established herself as a social media force over the past decade, with hundreds of thousands of followers for her lifestyle and beauty content.
The influencer was praised by fans for sharing her story on her platform.
The social media star appeared at the BET Experience at the Los Angeles Convention Center in June 2017.
Pettway said she sought medical attention after experiencing “intense vaginal bleeding” in June 2022.
Pettway said she continued to receive a similar diagnosis over the next seven months until she went to an oncologist for a checkup on February 8, 2023.
“He performed an outpatient biopsy on me,” Pettway said. “When I woke up from the anesthesia, he casually said, ‘Yes, you have stage 3 cervical cancer.’ Turns out it wasn’t a fibroid, but cancer. I have been misdiagnosed this whole time.
“I remember hearing that and immediately thinking, ‘I refuse to accept this diagnosis.’ And so I didn’t.
Pettway said she wasn’t devastated by the cancer diagnosis, but was upset by “the reaction of my loved ones.”
She added: “I knew that God is my healer and that no weapon formed against me, not even cancer, would prosper. I knew I was more than a conqueror and that I would get through this.
In an Instagram post from August 4, 2023, Pettway posed in a photo with her husband and two daughters, talking about the emotional impact her health crisis had on them.
“Any time you deal with an illness, not only does it affect you, but it also changes the lives of your loved ones,” Pettway said. “This year has turned our world upside down. Countless hospital stays. Financial stress. We have experienced it all!
Pettway had revealed his courageous battle with the deadly disease – and how it was misdiagnosed – in a July 31, 2023 Instagram post.
Pettway said she received her cancer diagnosis on February 8, 2023 after seeing an oncologist.
Pettway has amassed a large YouTube audience of over 228,000 subscribers, with 441 videos on his page.
Pettway spoke about the impact his health battle had on his family: “Any time you deal with an illness, not only does it affect you, but it also changes the lives of your loved ones.”
The popular social media personality has shared her views on fashion, beauty, and lifestyle on her platforms.
She said of her daughters: “The girls are too young to understand, yet they have noticed the changes. They often asked, “When is mom coming home?” or “Why does mom keep getting in the ambulance truck?”
“Being carried in the ambulance and greeting my children, only to see them crying for their mom to stay home, broke me. And seeing my husband burst into tears was hard.
She added of her partner: “I have to say it was the hardest storm I have ever been through. However, we made the commitment to overcome this ordeal together.
In her post announcing her brother’s passing, Reyni shared a photo of herself and Jessica together when they were children, describing her late brother as “amazing,” “strong,” “confident” and a supportive brother who “l “helped me become a better mother.” .’
Pettway has established itself as a force in social media over the past decade, amassing a large following on Youtube of more than 228,000 subscribers with 441 videos on her page, which she started in November 2013.
Pettway also amassed over 151,000 followers on Instagram, as she dubbed herself “the bohemian of Compton”, providing digital content to people in the style, lifestyle and beauty genres.
Fans and other social media influencers flooded posts on Pettway’s Instagram page with condolences as news of his death spread.
Influencer Ashley Blaine Featherson-Jenkins said: “You are LOVED Jessica! Praying that God covers and protects your beautiful family and THANK YOU for sharing your story.
Fans and other social media influencers flooded posts on Pettway’s Instagram page with condolences as news of his death spread
Author/illustrator Jena Holliday said: “My heart is so sad hearing this news. Last week, I thought of you “by chance” and I came across your page. I will always remember your kindness to me and how you supported my art when I started years ago. Praying for your family during this time. Rest in peace.
One follower said: “My heart is broken. Words cannot describe how I feel hearing of your passing. I didn’t know you personally but I have felt your vibe and your beautiful soul for many years through YouTube and IG!
“My prayers are with your husband, your children and your family. The community has lost you but Heaven has returned you to our creator.
Another said: “Very sad to hear of your passing. There are many influencers, but phew, you really influenced. Rest in Heaven, Queen. This fight was not fair.