Ashleigh Fae Jackson

Ashleigh Fae Jackson, born July 27, 1990, moved on after living a vibrant and love-filled 35 years. She passed away on February 11, 2026, after a 14-year battle with cancer that she NEVER gave up on. It was a difficult journey from the start, being diagnosed at 21 years old with a rare cancer: Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma (ACC) of the lacrimal gland. She was given a 10% chance to live 3+ years. She immediately started treatment and tried everything from chemo to radiation to immunotherapy, hoping the next trial would be “it” or that the data from her treatments might one day create a cure for others. She never went into hospice, always believing she could keep on going, but eventually things ran their course.

All through that, Ashleigh lived a full and happy life. She had her ride or die, her partner in crime, her soulmate, Connor Jackson. They met early on and had a love big enough that anybody who saw it knew it was real. They did the whole journey together, and what a ride it was - live music, Okeechobee, Charlotte days, doctor days, good eating, little treats (AKA Starbucks and milkshakes), watching shows and movies, playing with Scyla/Moglie/Stormy/Ollie/Pika/Metta, having perfect and content days staying home for the whole day. Morning coffee was a special time where everything slowed down before the day came crashing in: a comfort in life that few get to experience, and they both knew it made everything worth it.

She started her own business, Faejays, selling the art she constantly made on her iPad as postcards, stickers, and large prints. She even made tie-dyed shirts, pillows, bags, and magnets! Ashleigh loved to share her art, and people were drawn to the vibrant colors and tiny details she loved to spend hours creating. She always drew a perfect moon as her finishing touch. Snails, mushrooms, hearts, and vines were always present: good vibes only. Her art is still in The Burrow in downtown Raleigh, and a large Raleigh print she made is hanging in Niche and Dime at Crabtree Valley Mall.

Ashleigh had her sisters Angie and Azriel at her side, her confidants, sharing everything inside and out. She relied on them heavily for emotional support and was always so rejuvenated after having crazy fun sleepovers, building forts, making music videos, and drinking morning coffee. She will be missed by her little brother Khalis, who she loved dearly. She was Auntie Ashleigh to Hayzel and Brodey, spending days and days FaceTiming with them both, making crazy videos, and making each other laugh. She was also Auntie Ashleigh to Ben, Owen, Roman, Veronika, Kai, Wesley Anne, Damien, Krystah, and Myles. She cared so much about them all. Filming a pandemic art class as “Uncle Ashleigh,” she drew a goatee on her face and taught them how to draw a brontosaurus. She adored her cats and dogs, momma to Scyla, Moglie, Stormy, Ollie, Pika, Metta, and foster mom to over 40 kittens and puppies when they needed one most.

People who met Ashleigh knew she was a special soul: full of life while facing insurmountable odds - and somehow beating those odds. She had a way of giving people confidence, encouraging them beyond what they would think was possible. Trying out a new hobby? That was always interesting to her - she'd ask questions about it and make you feel cool for even giving it a try. She loved to ask the questions that put people on their back foot, and she loved to make it a little awkward. She'd end up digging up some little detail or story that everybody could appreciate, and it made the conversation fun and engaging. She led with a kind heart and didn't take “that's not normal” or “that's not expected” as an excuse not to do something. Buy the present for someone, send the text, make the call - if you think about it, just do it, because the other person will most definitely appreciate it. Celebrate your birthday! Make the cake! You only get one life. She knew how to make people feel special, and she knew to treasure the small moments.

Ashleigh was a bright light, a reminder to live and love big. Wherever she's gone, she has some champagne for sipping, a hammock for resting, and a grassy field for dancing to way too loud music: still showing others how to get up and live.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Ashleigh’s memory to the SPCA of Wake County or the Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma Research Foundation (ACCRF).

A service of Bryan-Lee Funeral Home, Raleigh. Online condolences may be made at www.bryan-leefuneralhome.com