THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, October 20, 1996 TAG: 9610200005
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B4 EDITION: FINAL
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: 50 lines
Bonnie E. McEachin of the 900 block of Lamont St. was born on June 6, 1909, in Rose Hill, N.C., to the late Tom and Ellen Stringfield. On the evening of Oct. 16, 1996, God sent his angel of mercy to take her to eternal peace.
She attended Rose Hill Public Schools and later moved to the Tidewater area and obtained her master's degree at Norfolk State College. Soon after moving to Norfolk, she became the wife of the late Graham McEachin. Together they launched their first business venture, the Shalimar Grill, followed by the Plaza House and later became the owners of the swank, 35-room Hotel Plaza at the corner of 18th and Church streets, where jazz was first introduced.
Bonnie was known to all as carefree and as easy to meet and know as she was when she was a poor country girl. Living by her secret to success, ``Plan your work, then work your plan and do what you start out to do,'' her homespun philosophy was to ``live today as if it was your last and make the most of every moment.'' She was a unique person who reached and touched others with love and kindness in many ways and possessed a tremendous love for her family and friends.
She was a member of First Baptist Bute Street. She was affiliated and served in many official capacities of organizations including: Lodge No. 73, Order of the Eastern Star; past daughter and granddaughter ruler of the Norfolk Temple Ladies Auxiliary of Elks No. 1A; past vice president of Norfolk Community Hospital; a life member of the State Association of Elks; and for two years, vice president of the Nationwide Hotel Association.
She was honored by the U.S. Department of Commerce, W.A.L.L.S. (Women Allied Liaisons Leaders of Strength), WHRO Channel 15 video, ``Gone But Not Forgotten,'' video, ``Norfolk Remembered,'' and a number of newspaper articles throughout the years. She was also recognized as one of the Nation's Ten Best-Dressed Women.
Those who will cherish her memory are her daughter, Frances McEachin-Holiday, and a son, Keith P. McEachin, both of Norfolk; a granddaughter, Brenda G. Paige of Norfolk; two great-granddaughters, Taura D. Brewer of Norfolk and Kim McEachin-Daniels of Portsmouth; three great-great-grandchildren, Brandon, Candice and Lorenzo Brewer of Virginia Beach; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. The glamorous owner and maitre d' of the Plaza Hotel will be sadly missed by all who knew her. Her memory will be forever cherished in the hearts of those who loved her.
A funeral service will be conducted at 1 p.m. Wednesday in First Baptist Church, Bute Street. Entombment will be in Roosevelt Memorial Cemetery. Graves Funeral Home is in charge. A wake service will be held Tuesday, Oct. 22, 1996, from 7 to 8 p.m. in the funeral home. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
KEYWORDS: DEATH OBITUARY by CNB