jaydenpinder

St John’s Native Baptist Church was filled with tears and moments of laughter on Saturday as family and friends gathered to say goodbye to 19-year-old Jayden Pinder.

Mourners wept openly as the casket was closed, offering final words to the young boat captain who lost his life in a tragic drowning on Boxing Day. Jayden was his mother Janeile Pinder’s only child. She sat quietly through the service, tears in her eyes, supported by loved ones who sat near her side.

The grief and love for Jayden in the sanctuary were heavy.

To those who knew him best, Jayden brought joy and humor.

Joshua Gibson described Jayden as a brother. “My brother’s life was full of joy,” he said. “Even though it was short, it was fulfilled. He loved abundantly and showed love all the time. He was never shy to show love.”

Former Cabinet Minister Leslie Miller, Jayden’s uncle, remembered him as “a mannerly young man, always willing to help, always respectful.”

As the service continued, sorrow slowly gave way to stories of affection.

Jayden once attended Galilee Academy, and its founder, Reverend Yvette Johnson, recalled how he brought life to the campus. She drew laughter from the congregation when she shared how Jayden coached other students through getting their driver’s licenses. “I loved that young man,” she said.

His grandmother, Reverend Sabrina Pinder of St John’s Native Baptist Church, spoke candidly and lovingly about their relationship. “Jayden and I always disagreed,” she said. “He would always rebut. Sometimes I’d get so annoyed and say, ‘Boy, this is how it’s going to be.’”

She smiled as she shared one of his favorite jokes about his grandfather, Reverend Carrington.

“He would say, ‘Mama, you know I better looking than Papa.’ And I’d tell him, ‘Jayden, you can’t compete with my husband.’”

The church helped raise him and remembered him as a boy who grew into a young man. Jayden sang in the choir, ushered, and played the drums.

Sherma Bowe of the Bahamas National Baptist Women’s Convention said Jayden had a way of connecting across generations. “There was no gap with him,” she said. “Wherever and whenever, he would always greet you.”

The Junior Baseball League of Nassau, where Jayden once played, described him as passionate.

“Jayden was not perfect,” the league noted. “He was emotional when he made mistakes, but quick to recover and encourage others. He wore his emotions on his sleeve, played with heart, and rallied his teammates. Fierce, yet gentle.”

Image credit: St John’s Native Baptist Church 

Friends and family are holding tightly to memories of a young life full of promise after the tragic drowning of 19-year-old Jayden Pinder on Boxing Day.

Jayden, described by those who knew him as loving, energetic, and full of light, died after a jet ski incident off West Bay Street. Police say Jayden was riding a jet ski with another man when a wave caused both to be thrown into the water. While both were rescued, emergency medical personnel were unable to resuscitate Jayden.

“He was a loving and fun person to be around,” recalled Anishka Cox, one of many friends now struggling to process the sudden loss.

Jayden was an only child, cherished by his family. His mother, Janeile Pinder, acknowledged her son’s death in a brief but heartbreaking message shared on social media.

“Please just keep my family in your prayers during this difficult time,” she wrote.

Terrio Hall, who witnessed the incident, said he stood nearby praying as medics worked desperately to save Jayden’s life.

Tributes have poured in from across the community, particularly from the Junior Baseball League of Nassau (JBLN), where Jayden once played. In a statement, the organization described him as “an outstanding player, boat captain, and friend.”

His aunt, Sabriquet Butler, spoke of a young man who lived with energy and joy.

“This pain is so great,” she wrote, “but God, we know that You are our strength.”

Friends continue to remember Jayden not just for how he died, but for how he lived.

“I will always cherish our time together at Sam’s house last Christmas,” Cox shared.

“He was full of light and very humorous,” said Shaniah Kemp, while Rose Taylor remembered him simply as “a loving son.”

Robyn Davis recalled Jayden’s infectious spirit on and off the field.

“I will never forget his jolly spirit. I have so many memories of him at the games and his biggest supporter, his mom, was never missing.”

Parish Simmons, who also knew Jayden through JBLN, described the loss as “a horrible tragedy,” while Derek Miller added, “This one hit hard. This is not going to be easy.”

One of the most touching tributes came from Audrey Johnson, who shared through tears that Jayden had recently visited her, excitedly talking about his future.

“He told me, ‘Mrs. Johnson, I did make it to be captain,” she recalled. “I told him how proud I was and said, ‘Now go to college and bloom.’”

Jayden previously attended Nassau Christian Academy. Naomi shared that her mother, now in Trinidad, was devastated by the news.

“My mother loved Jayden so much,” she wrote. “She called me all the way from Trinidad to tell me. Our family is praying for you.”

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