Dear Editor,
I was speechless, shocked, in disbelief, in denial, hurt and deeply saddened. That’s how I felt when I received a text which was confirmed by a call. That call confirmed the text message, which stated that Jevaughn Stephens was no more. After that call it became very difficult for me to process things for the rest of the day, as his smile and laugh lingered in my head. Jevaughn was not just a comrade he was a young man with a conviction, purpose and a commitment to the PNCR. He was an asset to the PNCR!
I met Jevaughn Stephens more than a decade ago. It was a time when the PNCR was looking to elect a presidential candidate and later leader. Of course, I had a candidate and was aggressively campaigning to have that person elected. In the process of putting structure and strategy together, I learned about Jevaughn’s activism. It took one brief introduction for Jevaughn and I to connect. We shared thoughts on how we can work together to help the campaign effort. Jevaughn, from that moment became one of my many Region Six allies in that campaign. So, we met through internal campaigning. As anyone with a keen insight into PNCR’s operations would tell you, internal elections are fought vigorously, and therefore, I relished the idea of having young Stephens’ energy, talent and drive. At the time of that campaign Jevaughn was the chairman of a PNCR group, in New Amsterdam, but he operated like he controlled the entire New Amsterdam. He had a way of pulling people into him, as his magnanimous personality seemed magnetic. Jevaughn had an energetic, positive and exuberant spirit. He had a way of laughing and smiling at the same time. I don’t know anyone else who does that, but this was his natural thing, there was that big chuckle and the smile, all in one.
Jevaughn was a party worker, stalwart, mobilizer, campaigner, and a young brother full of talent. He was a real leader in every sense of the word. I recalled while mobilizing the comrades to have them travel to attend congress, for the presidential candidate race, I called him and asked whether he had everything covered. He responded with a giggle “yes sister Lurlene, we got it.” I went on to specifically ask about everyone being onboard to vote for our candidate and he laughed heartily and stated that, he was positive. We talked about transportation and he said “covered.” I told him I was doing my calculation and his numbers matter, he responded “got you.” On the congress day, once he arrived with his contingent, he tapped me on the shoulder and took me to meet the team of comrades he was leading. We spoke to the team and reaffirmed our commitment and objective. Jevaughn was a man of his words, he promised and he over delivered on them, that was my experience. Apparently, this was his natural thing, to go above and beyond! After that day, I called him mayor. It was a name he laughed hard at, when I call him that. We had a back story to that!
This young man was undoubtedly a leader. It was therefore, not surprising that shortly after that congress he was elected as the PNCR’s Party Regional Chairman for Region Six. His accession to the position of Regional Health Officer Region Six, during the APNU administration, could also have been anticipated. Jevaughn was talented and smart. He loved the PNCR and respected the comrades.
The PNCR has lost a kind, dedicated, committed, hardworking, and capable young comrade. He was destined for greatness! Jevaughn’s departure will definitely leave a void in the party, and in all of us who loved and appreciated him. I pray that God comforts his wife and children. I pray for his parents, relatives, friends, and the PNCR family, especially the New Amsterdam comrades, who knew him well. May God grant his soul eternal peace. Sleep on my dear brother, sleep on in perfect peace.
Yours faithfully,
Lurlene Nestor
