The Lord sawElkanah before he was born. Every day ofhis life was recorded in the Lamb’s book of life. Every moment was laid outbefore a single day had passed (Psalm 139:16). God knew that “K” would transitionto eternity, in peace, on Thursday, October 28th, 2021 at 10:30pm,at the age of 65. This did not take God by surprised, in His infinite wisdom Heknew from the beginning the number of Elkana’s days, even though in our heartsand minds we did not anticipate that this day would be so soon. Elkanah’s life was fruitful - he nurtured 7 children and lived to see 7grandchildren; his was messy at a point in time he survived adivorce, he lead a fun filled life – he was an entertainer who enjoyed putting smiles on the faces ofthose he interacted with; and during his life time he was dealt some hard blows as he was confronted with healthchallenges which took a toll on his body. He celebrated life and doted on his wife, who was the love of his life; he mourned the death of his brothers Larry and Ryan, he laughed out loud because of the joy heexperienced as God gave him a new release on life – a fresh start with hisbeloved wife, and he cried – heshed those tears for the excruciating pain he felt when he lost his belovedparents - Raymond Whitfield and Verlene Louise Pinder for whom he displayed an overwhelming support and care during their twilight years. In all of that Kanah enjoyed and experienced life together with friends, family, love ones and foes. He labor in every communitythat he was a part of, his presence was always felt. He was always seeking ways to find the best resources that would provide his family, friends and countrymen the best opportunity to be the best that they could be. He worked with churches, schools, bothGovernment and Independent organisations, and whole communities for the empowerment of Bahamians and progression and development of ournation. It was his belief and hope that through theprovision of coaching and consultative support, and the provision ofprofessional development opportunities, in the areas of education, wellbeing,social change and innovation, organisational development, self-care andself-awareness, and our natural environment that ournation would become the greatest “Small Island Developing State” in the world. He was constantlylearning and always seeking to do whatever he could to add value to the lives of those he came in contact with.
He will be fondlyremembered by family and friends as a devoted and loving husband, a caring andcommitted father, a faithful and a beloved brother and friend, a distinguishedgentleman, an avid learner, an astutepolitical pundit, and a talented performer and vocalist.
Not, how did he die, but how did he live? Not, whatdid he gain, but what did he give?
These are the units to measure the worth of a man as aman, regardless of his birth.
Nor what was his church, nor what was his creed? Buthad he befriended those truly in need?
Was he ever ready, with words of good cheer? To bringback a smile, to banish a tear.
Nor what did the sketch in the newspaper say. But howmany were sorry when he passed away?
His precious memories willbe cherished by his loving wife: Brenda T. Harris Pinder;5Children: Eldacia, Elkeir (Sheldera), Elyse and DeanzaPinder, and Brenique Nixon; 2 Adopted Sons: Joseph Riley and JustinSmith; Grandchildren: Elkeir Jr, Elcaiyah andScinceir Pinder, Jameir McBride, Edwinique Sturrup, Jovayah Munnings andBreanna Bowe. Mother In-Law: Cecelia Walker Harris;God Child: Eden Thurston. Siblings: Linda (Tyrone) Gibson,Melanie (Kirk ) James and Lowell (Aurelia) Pinder. Sisters & Brothers In laws: GeorgeHarris, Dave(Kirklyn) Harris, Kim (Res. Inspector Reuben) Stuart TracyHarris, AngenicaEllis and Phaedra Pinder. Uncles & Aunts: James (Lavern) Pinder,Elizabeth Grey-Mackey, Kirkland Wildgoose, Shirley Knowles, Cyril (Claire) BarrJr., Kendal (Stephanie) Barr, Claudine Barr, Katherine Forbes, Iris Culmer,Jenny (Herbert) Huyler, Hilton (Janet) Bowleg, Inzelet Bowleg, Alice (Wellington)Ferguson, Annette Hernandez, Jeffrey Bowleg and Elvis Bowleg.GrandAunts: SheilaGrant and Magnolia Bethel.Nieces & Nephews: Deanza Pinder, Tara (Calvin) Bing, DaMon (Takia)Pinder, Letitia Gibson, Trumaine Gibson, Edward Scott Pinder, Kristina(Courtney) Willis, Anna ( Steve) Jean ,Larzhee Pinder, Lomir, Joshua and Stevie Pinder, Shameka, Deandra and DevonRolle, Georgette (Joshua) Collins, Sandy Harris, Nyoka (Otis) Rahming, Kendra,Ryan (Chamein) Harris, Chavonté Cambridge, Deangelo and Brandon Harris. GrandNieces & Nephews: Shamiya Rolle, Christian, Chandler and Cooper,ShaMyiah, DaMon Jr., and Zakhyra Pinder, Josiah and Delilah Pinder, JoshuaCollins, Stevon, Arianna, Theron Harris and Cataleya Pinder, Keshelle Pinder.
A host of other relativesand friends including: Kenneth (Georgie) Russell, LarryMcDonough, Stuart & Jenelle Tempalski, Dwayne Grant & Family, WomenUnited in Prayer, Bahamas Manning the Gates, 242Travail, Maurice Moore & Family,Talmadge & Alice Pinder & Family, The Grant Family, Shuffel Hepburn,Maggie Colebrooke-Crissy (Dennis), Evelyn Hanna and Adsel & Alvira Pinder, Pastor Rosmery Pena,Apostle Gail Mckinney-Johnson, Apostle Benjamin Smith, Pastor Roslyn Astwood,Apostle Brenda & Dwight Pratt, Donnna Delancy and Family, Cherise & George Mckinney, SimmoneBowe, Christopher Mortimer, Brandville McCartney, Omar Smith & Family, Micheal& Shelia Tempalski, Simmone Bowe, Valderine Heastie, Crystal Rolle, Sally Thompson, MyliaYallop, Patrina & Wayne Farquharson, Karen Passard, Calynn (Eddie)Thurston, Brian (Brenda) Jones, Reece Chipman, Samuel Strachan, StevenGreenslade, The Collins Family, The Riley Family, The Smith Family, OnielWallace, Peyton Bevans, Tanya Rev. CB (Phanny)Moss, Sharmie Austin. Joette (Antoine) Edwards, Crystal (Brent) Ferguson,Deborah Mackey, Joetha Jones, Helena Rolle, Laurene Maycock, Cassius Stuart& Family, Adrian Francis, Cynthia Brown, Virnita Gilbert, Helen Kwan, DonnaleeMinnis, Hon. Leon Lundy, Father Jude Edomwonyi and Family, Rev. Hayward Cooper& Family, His Excellency C.A. and Shirley Smith, Hon. Michael Pintard &Family, Rev. Michael & Stellar Pinder and Family, Rev Allison Pinder andFamily, Sabrina Heilld, David Thompson Velma Cooper and Family, Hubert andDorothy Roach, George Pinder, Maurice and Lin Glinton, Rev. Leonard &Juanita Pinder and Family, The Mckinney Family, The Coakley Family, The WalkerFamily, The Kemp Johnson Rolle Family, Sandra Rolle, Nurse Agatha Michelle Mortimer,Nurse Juva McPhee, , Pastor Gina Smith, Pastor Rodena Sands, Dr. AnthonyHamilton, Pastor Lequient Bethel Dr. Cale Philippe, Legacy Church Family, UpperSion Baptist Family, Management & Staff of Star general Insurance,Management & Staff of ScotiaWealth Management, Management & Staff ofPinder’s Plumbing, Management &Staff of RBNTV, Pinder’s PointCommunity, East Grand Bahama Constituency, The Bain Grants Town Association,The Bahamas Civil Society, The Youth Empowerment Program, Mt. Olive BaptistChurch. Other relatives and friends, to many to mention.
