Jayden Bailey was 'hero to many of us,' remembered at celebration of life

How Lebanon celebrated Jayden Bailey, who died of cancer and was called 'best smile in Lebanon'

Story byThe Tennessean

Jayden Bailey was 'hero to many of us,' remembered at celebration of life

Paul Skrbina, Nashville Tennessean

Mon, March 2, 2026 at 1:21 AM UTC·
3 min read

LEBANON − More 1,000 deep, a blur of people dressed in North Carolina blue lined up outside of Lebanon High School's gymnasium just north of noon on March 1.

They were there to pay their respects to Jayden Tremont Bailey, a 17-year-old Blue Devils basketball player who was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a type of bone cancer, in June 2022 and died Feb. 19. The Carolina blue theme was Bailey's idea.

By the time his final visitation began at 1 p.m., those same people who'd been in line had marched their way through the hallway to the gym, with the school band playing, and packed the bleachers elbow to elbow, cheek to tear-soaked cheek after walking by his casket.

"It's gonna be a celebration," Lebanon boys basketball coach Jim McDowell said to the crowd. "It's truly an honor and a privilege to be given the opportunity to be part of the celebration of life of such a special young man, a young man that as become one of my heroes − and not just my hero, but a hero to many of us here today."

Lebanon’s Jayden Bailey waits for a pass from T.J. Searcy (4) as they play against Upperman Friday, Dec. 5, 2025, in Lebanon, Tenn.

Jayden Bailey, Amaure Manier, and John Binion (11) listen to coach Jim McDowell during a timeout against Beech High School Friday, Dec. 9, 2025, in Hendersonville, Tenn.

Lebanon’s Jayden Bailey warms up before playing Upperman Friday, Dec. 5, 2025, in Lebanon, Tenn.

Lebanon’s Even Klemm (23), Jayden Bailey (1) and coach Jim McDowell watch the action from the bench during the first half against Upperman Friday, Dec. 5, 2025, in Lebanon, Tenn.

Jayden Bailey, left, jokes around with Jajuan Stafford and Omari Carter during practice Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025, in Lebanon, Tenn.

Lebanon basketball player Jayden Bailey moves to the basket during practice Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025, in Lebanon, Tenn.

Jayden Bailey and his teammates listen to coach Jim McDowell explain the next drill during practice Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025, in Lebanon, Tenn.

Jayden Bailey takes break during practice Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025, in Lebanon, Tenn.

Jayden Bailey’s tattoo on his arm Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025, in Lebanon, Tenn.

Jayden Bailey huddles with coach Jim McDowell and his teammates after practice Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025, in Lebanon, Tenn.

Jayden Bailey shoots free throws during practice Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025, in Lebanon, Tenn.

Lebanon basketball players Jayden Bailey and Marques Anglin talk after practice Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025, in Lebanon, Tenn.

Jayden Bailey runs with his teammates during practice Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025, in Lebanon, Tenn.

Lebanon basketball player Jayden Bailey listens with his teammates to coach Jim McDowell during a team meeting Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025, in Lebanon, Tenn.

Lebanon basketball player Jayden Bailey dribbles the ball during a drill Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025, in Lebanon, Tenn.

Jayden Bailey reacts after a teammate made a free throw during practice Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025, in Lebanon, Tenn. Bailey is battling a rare form of bone cancer, and had to have his arm amputated in August.

Lebanon basketball player Jayden Bailey warms up before practice Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025, in Lebanon, Tenn.

T.J. Searcy is defended by Jayden Bailey during a scrimmage Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025, in Lebanon, Tenn.

Lebanon basketball player Jayden Bailey listens to coach Jim McDowell go over the stats from the last game during a team meeting Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025, in Lebanon, Tenn. Bailey is battling a rare form of bone cancer, and had to have his arm amputated in August.

Markhail Anglin, left and Jayden Bailey battle for the ball during practice Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025, in Lebanon, Tenn.

Lebanon basketball player Jayden Bailey shoots free throws during practice Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025, in Lebanon, Tenn.

Jayden Bailey reacts after a teammate made a free throw during practice Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025, in Lebanon, Tenn.

Jayden Bailey boxes out Markhail Anglin during practice Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025, in Lebanon, Tenn. Bailey is battling a rare form of bone cancer, and had to have his arm amputated in August.

Lebanon basketball player Jayden Bailey listens to coach Jim McDowell go over the stats from the last game during a team meeting Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025, in Lebanon, Tenn. Bailey is battling a rare form of bone cancer, and had to have his arm amputated in August.

Labanon basketball player Jayden Bailey works on strengthening his mid section during weight room workouts Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025, in Lebanon, Tenn. Bailey is battling a rare form of bone cancer, and had to have his arm amputated in August.

Assistant coach Keshawn Abston encourages Jayden Bailey after missing a shot during practice Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025, in Lebanon, Tenn.

Jayden Bailey congratulates Taylan Waters after he scored during practice Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025, in Lebanon, Tenn. Bailey is battling a rare form of bone cancer, and had to have his arm amputated in August.

Jayden Bailey shoots over T.J. Searcy during practice Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025, in Lebanon, Tenn. Bailey is battling a rare form of bone cancer, and had to have his arm amputated in August.

Lebanon basketball players Jayden Bailey, left, and Jajuan Stafford bump fists as they walk back to the locker room after practice Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025, in Lebanon, Tenn.

Jayden Bailey catches his breath after running during practice Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025, in Lebanon, Tenn.

Jayden Bailey, Lebanon athlete who inspired basketball community, dies at 17 from cancer

Lebanon’s Jayden Bailey waits for a pass from T.J. Searcy (4) as they play against Upperman Friday, Dec. 5, 2025, in Lebanon, Tenn.

1 / 30

Jayden Bailey, Lebanon athlete who inspired basketball community, dies at 17 from cancer

Lebanon’s Jayden Bailey waits for a pass from T.J. Searcy (4) as they play against Upperman Friday, Dec. 5, 2025, in Lebanon, Tenn.

2 / 30

Jayden Bailey, Lebanon athlete who inspired basketball community, dies at 17 from cancer

Jayden Bailey, Amaure Manier, and John Binion (11) listen to coach Jim McDowell during a timeout against Beech High School Friday, Dec. 9, 2025, in Hendersonville, Tenn.

3 / 30

Jayden Bailey, Lebanon athlete who inspired basketball community, dies at 17 from cancer

Lebanon’s Jayden Bailey warms up before playing Upperman Friday, Dec. 5, 2025, in Lebanon, Tenn.

4 / 30

Jayden Bailey, Lebanon athlete who inspired basketball community, dies at 17 from cancer

Lebanon’s Even Klemm (23), Jayden Bailey (1) and coach Jim McDowell watch the action from the bench during the first half against Upperman Friday, Dec. 5, 2025, in Lebanon, Tenn.

5 / 30

Jayden Bailey, Lebanon athlete who inspired basketball community, dies at 17 from cancer

Jayden Bailey, left, jokes around with Jajuan Stafford and Omari Carter during practice Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025, in Lebanon, Tenn.

6 / 30

Jayden Bailey, Lebanon athlete who inspired basketball community, dies at 17 from cancer

Lebanon basketball player Jayden Bailey moves to the basket during practice Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025, in Lebanon, Tenn.

7 / 30

[...]

Original source