Jessica Pettway dead at 36: Beauty influencer passes away after doctors misdiagnosed stage 3 cervical cancer... leaving behind husband and two young children

Influencer Jessica Pettway has died at the age of 36 following a battle with stage 3 cervical cancer, her sister Reyni said on Instagram Friday.

Pettway's sister Reyni - whose account is set to private - confirmed that her sister had died as she opened up about the grief she felt in a post she put up March 15, E! News reported.

'It's my birthday today, and the only thing I could ever wish for is for God to bring you back on this earth,' Reyni said. 'I lost my beautiful big sister 2 days ago, and my heart has never felt pain like this.' 

The YouTube personality was mother to two daughters with her husband of 12 years, Michael: Kailee, 10, and Zoi Lee, three, according to Essence. 

Pettway had revealed her brave battle with the deadly disease - and how she had been misdiagnosed - in a July 2023 post on Instagram.

Influencer Jessica Pettway has died at the age of 36 following a battle with stage 3 cervical cancer, her sister Reyni said on Instagram Friday

In her July 31, 2023 post - which was her first in nine months on the platform - Pettway shared a pair of selfies as she opened up 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 I'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 begin, but I want to share why I've been gone for so long, in hopes that at least one person is encouraged by my story.'

Pettway said at first, she had been misdiagnosed with fibroids, which the Mayo Clinic says are common growths of the uterus.

'Uterine fibroids are not cancer, and they almost never turn into cancer,' nor are they 'linked with a higher risk of other types of cancer in the uterus either,' according to the Mayo Clinic.

The clinic noted that uterine fibroids can also be referred to as leiomyomas or myomas, and can 'vary in number and size.'

The clinic noted that 'many people have uterine fibroids sometime during their lives ... but you might not know you have them, because they often cause no symptoms ... your health care professional may just happen to find fibroids during a pelvic exam or pregnancy ultrasound.'

The YouTube personality was mother to two daughters with her husband of 12 years, Michael: Kailee, 10, and Zoi Lee, three 

Pettway had 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 hailed by fans for spreading awareness of her story on her platform 

The social media star had appeared at the BET Experience at the Los Angeles Convention Center in June of 2017 

Pettway said that she sought medical attention after dealing with 'intense vaginal bleeding' in June of 2022.

Pettway said that she continued to receive a similar diagnosis over the next seven months until she went to an oncologist for an examination on February 8, 2023.

'He performed an out patient biopsy on me,' Pettway said. '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.

'I remember hearing that and immediately saying to myself, "I refuse to make an agreement with that diagnosis." And so I didn't.'

Pettway said she wasn't devastated by the cancer diagnosis, but was upset by 'the reaction of those close to me.'

She added: 'I knew that God is my healer and that no weapon formed against me, not even cancer, would prosper. I knew that I am more than a conqueror and that I will get through this.'

In an August 4, 2023 Instagram post, Pettway posed in a picture with her husband and two daughters, speaking about the emotional impact her health crisis had on them.

'Anytime you're dealing with an illness, it not only affects you, but it also changes the lives of those closest to you,' Pettway said. 'This year rocked our world. From the countless hospital stays. To the financial strain. We been through it all!

Pettway had revealed her brave battle with the deadly disease - and how she had been misdiagnosed - in a July 31, 2023 post on Instagram

Pettway said she received her cancer diagnosis on February 8, 2023 after visiting an oncologist

Pettway amassed a large audience on YouTube of more than 228,000 subscribers, with 441 videos on her page 

Pettway said of the impact her health battle had on her family: 'Anytime you're dealing with an illness, it not only affects you, but it also changes the lives of those closest to you'

The popular social media personality shared her takes on fashion, beauty and lifestyle on her platforms 

She said of her daughters: 'The girls are too young to understand, yet they noticed the changes. They would often ask, "When is mommy coming home?" Or "How come mommy keeps going in the ambulance truck?" 

'Being wheeled into the ambulance and waving bye to my kids, only to see them crying for their mommy to stay home, broke me. And watching my husband break down in tears, was rough.'

She added of her spouse: 'I gotta say, this was the toughest storm I have ever been through. Yet we made a commitment that we would get through this together.'

In her post announcing her sibling's passing, Reyni shared a picture of her with Jessica together as children, describing her late sibling as 'amazing,' 'strong,' 'confident' and a supportive sibling who 'helped [her] become a better mother.'

Pettway had established herself as a social media force over the past decade, amassing a large audience on YouTube of more than 228,000 subscribers with 441 videos on her page, which she began in November of 2013. 

Pettway also amassed a following of more than 151,000 followers on Instagram, as she dubbed herself 'The Compton Bohemian' providing digital content for people in the genres of style, lifestyle and beauty.

Fans and other social media influencers flooded posts on Pettway's Instagram page with condolences as news spread of her passing.

Influencer Ashley Blaine Featherson-Jenkins said, 'You are LOVED Jessica! Praying for God’s covering and protection over your beautiful family & THANK YOU for sharing your story.'

Fans and other social media influencers flooded posts on Pettway's Instagram page with condolences as news spread of her passing 

 Author/illustrator Jena Holliday said, '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.'

One follower said, '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.'

Said another, 'So very sad to hear about your passing. Theirs many influencers out there but whew you really influenced. Rest in Heaven Queen. This fight was not fair.'