Shaonn Monty Pender Jr. came bursting into this world on May 09, 2003. His parents, Shaonn Pender and Nadia Bridgewater, were undoubtedly overjoyed and grateful to be blessed with their one and only baby boy. His family and friends affectionately knew him as “Booda” due to his round face, chubby cheeks, and Chinese eyes. When Booda was born, he weighed 9 lbs. 8 oz., making him the biggest baby in the ICU at the time with a heart murmur. “You could tell his heart wasn’t ready for the world from the beginning.” Shaonn also acquired the name “Lil Man” from his father. Mainly because from the moment he was born, he always carried himself as a little grown man and embodied such a strong mindset from a young age. Booda never took no for an answer and knew that if there was a will then there was a way. He always knew just the right words to say to get anything he wanted from his mom and dad. From a toddler, Booda had a love for toy cars. Without a doubt, he was determined to have every car in his toy collection. If you thought a store run would be solely for groceries, you were sadly mistaken because Booda would not leave the store without his parents buying him that new toy car. Booda attended Scott Lake Elementary with his older sister Shayonna. Growing up, their bond was unbreakable; everywhere you saw Shaonn, you saw his sister right beside him. The teachers often called his sister his second mom because she took care of him as such. From the moment Booda stepped foot into elementary school, he was the center of attention; everyone wanted to be around him because his spirit and personality were undeniably irresistible. Since kindergarten Booda was on the chess team with his big sister, and it was debatable whether he was a better chess player than her. If asked, she would never admit it because she knew Booda would never let her hear the end of it. Booda enjoyed being a part of a team, and even more, he loved to win. He always had a goofy competitive side and loved to be the best at anything he did. Whether playing Tekken 5 with his dad and sisters or playing call of duty in the summer with his sister and cousins, he always loved a little fun competition. Booda’s parents eventually moved from Miami Gardens to Pembroke Pines, where Booda started the 3rd grade at Panther Run Elementary. When he saw his new home, his first unfiltered words were, “I want the big house with the pool.” He was disappointed but eventually grew to love it because his grandparents, who lived around the corner, had “the big house with the pool.” Most weekends, it was common for Booda’s mom to take him and his sisters to the beach to watch the sunrise. Even though it was a struggle to get everyone to wake up in the morning, when they arrived Booda always loved diving in the beach water, no matter how cold it was. If you knew Booda, you knew he loved the beach; he just loved to swim and feel free from the world. Booda started middle school at Silver Trail Middle, where his fashion sense began to kick in. During these moments, Booda started his experimental phase in figuring out what he did and did not like. However, Booda did know for sure that he did not want to walk to school. Even though his school was a mile away, his dad bought him a private bus because Booda refused to walk in this hot Florida weather. Fast-forward to Booda’s high school years, his fashion sense fully kicked in, and he found his true self. He had an eye for the finer things, from nice-smelling colognes to fashionable glasses and shoes. During high school, he also met his long-time best friend, Brenda. They were like two peas in a pod, inseparable to the end. Brenda never failed to let Booda be his true self around her. He would describe their relationship as soulmates, they completed each other. Booda shared an unbreakable bond with his older sister Marshay. Marshay always wanted her little brother around her, they enjoyed going to fancy restaurants, the beach, the mall, movies, and having mini photo shoots in nice places. Marshay and Booda both shared a common goal of “Living their best life” and having a boujee lifestyle. There was nothing his big sister wouldn’t do for him and Booda knew he was always covered with his big sister.

In his senior year, Booda knew his mom could get him a job at Publix but he refused to join the family tradition and started his first job at “The Habit Burger” instead. Booda knew he didn’t necessarily need to work, but he did know he had a love for food and an eye for fashion. So he worked merely to maintain his lifestyle but enjoyed being independent and having money. Booda also started his career path in computer engineering at Broward College. His passion for computers began following his love of video games; however, he also wanted to develop a clothing brand in men’s fashion. Without a doubt, Booda knew that he would be a millionaire one day. While Booda was big in stature, he was truly a teddy bear. His smile would light up the room and melt your heart. He never hesitated to lend a helping hand or take a second to make the ones he loved a laugh. Those that knew him best knew that family meant the world to him. Thankfully, he was blessed with love and affection from his entire family. Booda would find any reason to encourage his family and friends to celebrate; whether it was a pool party at his grandparent’s house or enjoying quality time with his cousins, he was always there. He especially enjoyed Christmas morning with his family eating the special Jamaican dishes that his grandmother would make.

Although Booda was the overall best kid, we didn’t fully know that his heart was hurting and that he longed for something more. He never showed that part of him. Booda always had a smile while deep down, there was a pain in his heart that wasn’t fully fulfilled. We will never fully understand the pain he was going through, but we do know that he is loved abundantly. With a heart of gold like Booda, there is no telling the burden this world has placed on such a pure soul. As stated in the beginning, his heart could not handle this world. We will think about you always. We will still talk about you. You will never be forgotten. And you never will. We hold you close within our hearts. And there you will remain. To walk and guide us through our lives. Until we meet again.

He was preceded in death by his grandmother Valrie Elaine Harris.

Shaonn Monty Pender Jr. is survived by his loving parents, Shaonn Pender Sr. and Nadia Bridgewater.

Stepfather: Kareem Bridgewater

Sisters: Marshay V. Pender; Shayonna Pender

Step Sister: Larissa Bridgewater

Grandparents: Peter Pender; Benita Pender; Mary Trotter; William Trotter

Great-Grandparents: Joe Pender; Clara Gilbert

Uncles: Dave  Dixon, Kevin Dixon, Peter Jr. (PJ) Pender & Troy Dixon

Aunts: Sheree Pender, Kenesha Wilson, Kemelia Campbell, Kendra Wilson

Bestfriend: Brenda Gabriella Zenon

Along with a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, and devoted friends.

Visitation to be held on Sunday, December 11, 2022 from 5:00 PM until 9:00 PM with Tributes of a Lifetime Service at 7:00 PM at Boyd-Panciera Family Funeral Care, 1600 N. University Drive, Pembroke Pines, Florida 33024.

For those unable to attend the service, the family is offering LIVE streaming of the Service on Sunday, December 11th, 2022 beginning at 7:00 PM. The link to attend LIVE is on the Boyd-Panciera Family Funeral Care Facebook page at: BOYD-PANCIERA FAMILY FUNERAL CARE

Funeral Service to be held on Monday, December 12, 2022 from 11:oo AM until 1:00 PM at Northside Seventh Day Adventist Church, 1769 NW 119th Street, North Miami, Florida 33167.

Immediately followed by Graveside Service on Monday, December 12, 2022 at 2:00 PM at Hollywood Memorial Gardens North, 3001 N. 72nd Avenue, Hollywood, Florida 33024.