Nikela John remembered as a rare gem

The 19-year-old Nikela, who died on March 9 from undisclosed medical reasons, was laid to rest at the D’Abadie Public Cemetery yesterday, following an hour-long funeral at a packed Santa Rosa RC Church, Arima.

According to Denisha Mayers, a friend of Nikela who delivered the eulogy, “Nikela was a gem in its rarest form. Her smile was as radiant as the brightest flower, and she would melt your heart, even when she (did) her mischief.

Her candid laugh would easily captivate and concern. She always wanted her own way, (but was) strong-willed, caring, fun-loving and God-fearing.” Mayers pointed out, “There was a never a dull moment with Nikela. She was a master in the kitchen like her mom (Nicole Baldwin). Her intelligence, wit and sense of humour caused friendships aplenty. She made us all less stressful.” Referring to Nikela’s relationship with her father, Mayers said, “Her conversations (with Stern) usually starts ‘Father’ and would be followed up with demands, about 99 percent of the time. Nikela was always the hardest nut to crack.” In attendance were a number of relatives and friends, as well as members of the sporting fraternity, including her distant relative Alec Burns (former TT cricketer) and other regional cricketers Dwayne Bravo and Kevon Cooper. Past and present national footballers were also at the Church, including current assistant coaches Stuart Charles-Fevrier and Ross Russell; current players Carlos Edwards, Sean De Silva, Carlyle Mitchell and Nathan Lewis, John’s former teammates Clint Marcelle, Ansil Elcock and Marvin Gordon, ex-TT manager Joseph Sam Phillip and close friend Brent Sancho.

Mayers made it clear that the memories of Nikela would last forever.

“God gave you to us for a minute but our fondest memories of you would last a lifetime,” she said. “God would never take anyone away until they have taught us what they need to know. Thank you Jesus for blessing us with Nikela John. Thank you for welcoming her into heaven, where she would now look over us, together with our other guardian angels.

“Today I want us to remember Nikela’s smile, her warmth, her love, her hug, her stale jokes.

Grief and sadness is a small price we all have to pay for that irreplaceable gift we were given 19 years ago. Thank you Jesus for Nikela John and may she forever rest in peace,” Mayers ended.

Nikela leaves to mourn her parents, her stepfather Kevin George and her siblings Tyrik, Janiyah (George), Kelsi, Stern, Xiadan, Ava and Terlisha.