Paulette Echols, a native of Springfield, Ohio and resident of Lorton, Virginia, passed Saturday, May 23, 2020 from cancer. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education in 1970 and a Master of Science degree from the University of Dayton. She spent many years in Springfield, Richmond, Virginia and Englewood, New Jersey. After some time, she returned to Virginia, establishing residency in Lorton. As an educator, Paulette taught math for public school systems, and was employed as a Math Specialist. In later years she became a successful business owner. Paulette was a loyal financial supporter of Wilberforce University and was a life member of the WU Alumni Association. A member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. she was a “Women of Faith” who loved family, especially her grandsons. Her survivors include her son, Jamar Wells, daughter in law, Robyn, and the grandsons, Jackson and Sebastian. A visitation period was held June 2, 2020 in Springfield, Ohio at the Robert C. Henry-Clark Funeral Home. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to Jamar Wells and Family, 832 50th Place NE, Washington, DC 20019
Clinton James Bean earned his wings May 28, 2020. A native of Troy, Alabama, he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education in 1966. While at Wilberforce, he became a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity , Inc. He received a Master’s degree in Music Education from Miami University in 1979 and an honorary doctorate from Victorious Christian Living Institute in 2001. Clinton taught two years in Troy, Alabama, four years in the Xenia City School System and two years at Cincinnati’s Princeton High School. In 1974 he was hired to teach choral music for the Hamilton, Ohio City Schools. Five years later he was named Supervisor of Fine Arts for their school system, retiring in 1996. Clinton was Minister of Music for Zion Baptist Church, Cincinnati and was very successful in conducting church music workshops. He had organized and rehearsed with groups performing with the Cincinnati Pops and the Cincinnati Ballet. He was a member of MENC, OMEA and the Gospel Music Workshop of America. He leaves to mourn his passing a daughter, Pamela; two sisters; one granddaughter, Kalyn, one Great-granddaughter, Miara; two godsons, and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins. In 2005, Clinton established a scholarship in his name for Wilberforce University Students majoring in Music and the Arts. A visitation was held June 5, 2020 at the Zion Baptist Church in Cincinnati.
We lift the Echols-Wells and Bean Families in prayer.