Jaida Janae Payne's Obituary
Jaida Janae Payne, was born on February 28, 1999 in San Diego California as the youngest child of Stewart & Brenda Payne. She was a 2017 graduate of Olympian High School in Chula Vista and a 2021 graduate of Prairie View A&M University where she majored in Kinesiology. Having been hospitalized and temporarily paralyzed in the 7th grade when she was diagnosed with Transverse Myelitis, Jaida’s goal in life was to become a Physical Therapist. At the time of her passing, Jaida was a Doctor of Physical Therapy candidate at Gannon University in Tampa, Florida.
As the daughter of a track coach and the baby sister in a house full of athletes, Jaida became an avid track runner. She was a member of the San Diego/Imperial Association of USA Track and Field and the ‘N Step Youth Track Club. She was a three-time qualifier and competitor at the USATF National Junior Olympics. In 2009, She was awarded the Monique Henderson Youth Award for outstanding track & field accomplishments. During her years participating in youth track, Jaida developed many lifelong friendships and relationships that lasted into high school, college and beyond.
In high school Jaida was a hurdler for the Olympian High School Eagles. She was a two-time CIF qualifier in the hurdles and team captain in her senior year. In 2017, she was the team’s Sportsmanship Award recipient, and she was twice selected to the San Diego Union Tribune’s All-Academic Team. Jaida was also a peer counselor at Olympian High School and the manager for the cheer team. She was granted membership into National Society of High School Scholars.
After high school, Jaida attended Prairie View A&M University where she walked on to the track team. During her time at Prairie View, Jaida was a member of the Dean’s list and the All-Academic Team. She was also a member of the 2021 Women’s Indoor SWAC Championship Team. Individually, Jaida placed 3rd in the Pole Vault at the 2021 Indoor SWAC Championship and had several other top 10 SWAC Championship finishes in the Pole Vault and Javelin.
Throughout her life, Jaida had a strong passion for helping others and will be remembered for always being the life of the party. Everywhere Jaida went, she blessed people with her infectious smile, personality and can-do attitude. Jaida was an avid dancer who also loved laughing & singing and being surrounded by family & friends. Jaida was an advocate for her peers on academic, social justice and issues of diversity. Jaida will always be remembered as a compassionate sister, a
loving & loyal friend, and a fierce competitor with a love and passion for animals, especially dogs.
Jaida was preceded in death by her paternal grandparents Burley & Betty Payne, Maternal Grandfather Donald Lee Winfrey, and Uncles David and Keith Winfrey. Jaida is survived by her parents Stewart and Brenda Payne or Menifee, CA, her precious dog TAZ Orenthal Payne; Maternal Grandmother Geraldine Winfrey of San Diego, CA; Sisters: LaReina Gray of Temecula, CA; Seydonia Baker of Portland, OR; Cheyenne Curley-Payne of San Diego, CA; and Shacoyia Payne of Little Rock, AR; Brother Brandon Payne (Laura) of Goodyear, AZ; Uncles Steve Payne of Bunker Hill, WV; Michael Payne (Maria) of Desert Hot Springs, CA; Glen Winfrey of San Diego, CA; Lynn Winfrey (Michelle) of Kansas City, MO; Kenneth Winfrey of San Diego, CA; Aunts: Rose Winfrey of San Diego, Ca; and Eunice Chisholm (Tony) of Jacksonville, Fl; Nephews Kingston Gray of Temecula, CA; Mehki Spann of Little Rock, AR; Alex Payne of Goodyear, AZ, Nieces Nalai & Kai Gray of Temecula, Ca; and Cori Payne of Goodyear, AZ; a host of cousins, and a multitude of friends and extended family members.
In lieu of flowers donate to the Jaida Payne memorial fund.
What’s your fondest memory of Jaida?
What’s a lesson you learned from Jaida?
Share a story where Jaida's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Jaida you’ll never forget.
How did Jaida make you smile?
