Annie Walton Doyle
Jessica Pettway, a popular influencer, has tragically passed away aged just 36.
The fashion and beauty influencer, who dubbed herself ‘The Compton Bohemian’, had a loyal following, with over 150,000 followers on Instagram.
She also grew a large audience on YouTube, with more than 229,000 subscribers.
The content creator focused on sharing beauty and lifestyle tips with her legions of fans.
But devastatingly, it has now been confirmed that Pettway has died.
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Pettway’s sister Reyni announced the saddening news in a private tribute reported by E! News.
Her sibling penned: “It’s my birthday today, and the only thing I could ever wish for is for God to bring you back on this earth.”
She added: “I lost my beautiful big sister 2 days ago, and my heart has never felt pain like this.”
In her post announcing her sibling’s passing, Reyni shared a picture of her with Jessica as children, describing her late sister as ‘amazing’, ‘strong’, ‘confident’ and a supportive sibling who ‘helped me become a better mother’.
Pettway’s pages have been flooded with heartbreaking tributes from fans and friends alike.
Influencer Ashley Blaine Featherson-Jenkins writes: “You are LOVED Jessica! Praying for God’s covering and protection over your beautiful family and THANK YOU for sharing your story.”
Author and illustrator Jena Holliday adds: “My heart is so sad hearing this news. Last week I ‘randomly’ thought of you and came to your page. I’ll always remember your kindness to me and how you supported my art as I started years ago. Praying for your family during this time. Rest peacefully.”
A fan agrees, penning: “My heart is broken. Words can’t describe how I feel hearing of your passing. I did not know you personally but I felt your vibe and beautiful soul for many years through YouTube and IG!
“My prayers are with your husband, children and family. The community lost you but Heaven has received you back to our creator.”
Somebody else says: “So very sad to hear about your passing. There are many influencers out there but whew you really influenced. Rest in Heaven Queen. This fight was not fair.”
Pettway was a mother to two daughters, Kailee, 10, and Zoi Lee, 3, with her husband of 12 years, Michael, according to Essence.
Last July, the social media star opened up about her health struggles, sharing on Instagram that she had been diagnosed in February 2023 with stage 3 cervical cancer.
She described symptoms of ‘intense’ bleeding but was reassured that it was a ‘normal symptom’ for women.
Doctors initially diagnosed it as a benign fibroid causing the bleeding, until they spotted a ‘huge mass’ covering her cervix.
After a biopsy was performed, Pettway finally received her cervical cancer diagnosis.
The content creator shared her cancer journey ‘in hopes that at least one person is encouraged by my story’.
“So sorry you suffered unnecessarily,” wrote one commenter at the time. “We must do better.”
In the United States, around 4,000 women die of cervical cancer each year, and nearly 12,000 new cases are diagnosed each year, according to the CDC.
Rest in peace.
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