One of Miami’s most prominent and beloved matriarchs, Agenoria Spearman Paschal, celebrated her 90th birthday on July 28 at the Biscayne Bay Doubletree Hotel. Surrounded by her devoted children, grandchildren and admiring friends, Paschal was honored for a lifetime of faithfulness, gentility and grace. The nostalgic afternoon began with her entrance, attired in a chic white dinner suit with red rose accessories, into the grand ballroom.
Guests applauded as she strolled elegantly to her seat, escorted by her grandsons Fletcher A. Paschal IV, Louis Powell III, and Jordan Powell. Tables were adorned with copies of handwritten letters and notes from Paschal to family and friends for the past 65 years, allowing guests to relive the positive impact she has had on so many lives. To punctuate the theme of elegance, every female guest was gifted with a classic cameo brooch. The celebration was planned by her daughter, Agenoria Paschal Powell, who also served as mistress of ceremony. Her elder son, Fletcher A. Paschal III, eloquently welcomed guests, and her younger son Elvis W. Paschal and his band provided lively music for the occasion.
A retired teacher and education administrator, Paschal is renowned in greater Miami for her church commitment, mentorship and extensive community involvement. Blessings, reflections and tributes were offered by The Revs. Canon J. Kenneth Major, Errol Harvey and John Jarrett from her lifelong parish of the Church of the Incarnation (Episcopal); Brenda Bryant, James Bush, Dorothy J. Fields, Thomasena Mitchell, Mary Salary, Olga Van Beverhoudt, Earl Wells and Sue Wendover. Proclamations and official congratulatory letters were received from President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama, U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, U.S. Rep. Frederica S. Wilson, Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez and Commissioner Audrey Edmonson, and Dorothy Bendross-Mindingall, Miami-Dade County School Board member.
Special guests included her sister and brother-in-law Harrison and Olivia Parker, from Washington, D.C., and Willie Pearl Porter. Also seen on the scene were Larry Johnson, Amira Paschal, Diane Dyes Paschal, Erica Paschal, Heather Paschal, Rozalyn Paschal, Albert Porter, Laurestine Porter, Kara Powell, Louis F. Powell Jr., Delvin and Rozalyn Thomas and their children, Daija, Laila, Aivah,Tylaiah and Kathleen Walker.
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James and Dolores Washington hosted an evening of reminiscence in honor of Jewyll Johnson Wilson, lifelong friend and former Miamian, on July 26. The Washingtons’ lovely Rolling Hills Estates home in Davie was the setting for a delightful, intimate gathering, where guests enjoyed a delicious smorgasbord and tropical treats. Wilson, a 1958 Booker T. Washington High School graduate, now a Laurel, Md. resident, was in South Florida on a layover before joining her daughter, Jerita Wilson, on a seven-day western Caribbean cruise. Her son, Jubril Wilson, was also in town relaxing and sightseeing. Seen on the scene enjoying the fellowship were Elaine Adderly, Nicole Archie, Shirley Archie, Pearl Patterson Bethel, Herman Dorsett, Barbara Edwards, Maud P. Newbold, Marcia J. Saunders, Leona J. Swilley, Mercita Wimberly and Carol Young.
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Members of the Greater Miami Chapter of The Links, Inc. gathered July 30 for some summer fun and to send off their Link sister, Laila Brock, who is relocating to Dallas, Texas, this summer to serve as the new director of team operations and logistics for the College Football Playoff. The ladies let their hair down and enjoyed one another’s company during a happy hour at Bar Louie in Miami’s trendy Midtown. Seen on the scene unwinding and socializing were René Beal (chapter president), Robbie Bell, Angela Robinson Bellamy, Pearl Patterson Bethel, Leatrice Damus, Regina Jollivette Frazier, Donna Ginn, Jennifer A. Grant, Anne T. Herriott, Reneé S. Jones, Gepsie Metellus, Kamila Pritchett, Nicole Strange-Martin and Vandra Woolfolk.
Linda J. Johnson, a Miami native, is a veteran educator with the Miami-Dade County Public Schools and a certified etiquette consultant, who also serves on nonprofit boards in the community. She can be reached at lindaj754@aol.com
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