Jessica Pettway, a renowned beauty influencer boasting over 16 million views on YouTube, has passed away at the age of 36.
Her death follows a nine-month battle with stage 3 cervical cancer, a journey she courageously shared with her followers. Pettway’s sister, Reyni, broke the heartbreaking news on Instagram, expressing her grief and love for her late sister. “It’s my birthday today, and the only thing I could ever wish for is for God to bring you back on this earth. I lost my beautiful big sister 2 days ago, and my heart has never felt pain like this,” Reyni shared alongside a photo of the siblings, as reported by E! Online.
Remembering Jessica, Reyni described her as “amazing, strong, confident,” and noted her profound impact on her life, stating that Jessica “prayed for me and helped me become a better mother.”
Jessica Pettway began her YouTube journey in November 2013, amassing a dedicated following of over 225,000 subscribers through nearly 450 videos.
In July 2023, Pettway revealed her cancer diagnosis, which had initially been mistaken for fibroids. She recounted experiencing intense vaginal bleeding in June 2022, leading to hospitalisations until February 2023 when an oncologist confirmed her diagnosis.
Reflecting on the moment she received the devastating news, Pettway shared, “On Feb. 8th, 2023, he performed an outpatient biopsy on me. When I woke up from the anesthesia, he casually said, ‘Yep, you have stage 3 cervical cancer.’ It turns out, it was not a fibroid, but cancer. I was misdiagnosed all this time.”
Despite the gravity of her diagnosis, Pettway remained resilient, refusing to succumb to despair. She revealed that it was the reactions of her loved ones that proved most challenging for her.
As a mother to 10-year-old Kailee and 3-year-old Zoi Lee, Pettway navigated her medical journey alongside her husband of 12 years. In an Instagram post, she acknowledged the profound impact her illness had on her family, from the emotional toll to the financial strain.
Pettway expressed gratitude for her husband’s unwavering support, noting their shared commitment to overcome adversity together. “We moved forward and did our best not to allow current circumstances to overtake us. It was definitely not easy, but we made it this far,” she shared.
Jessica Pettway’s legacy extends beyond her influential presence in the beauty community. Her courage, resilience, and unwavering spirit continue to inspire countless individuals around the world.
RIP.
