G. Juanita Parnell

Ms. Grace Juanita Parnel, the oldest of two daughters, was born April 22, 1918, in Grayson, Illinois to Walker Edward Gholston and Bessie Lavonia (Jones) Gholston.

At an early age the family moved to Muncie, Indiana. She attended the public schools and graduated from Muncie Central High School. She also attended the Muncie Conservatory of Music. Her family church was Shafer Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church where she was baptized. She was married to Fred Parnell, deceased. After moving to Detroit, Michigan, where she graduated from the Lewis College of Business, the Mary Hall Academie (where she was a cosmetology teacher for 15 years), Dale Carnegie Institute and Wayne County Community College. In addition, she attended the Detroit Institute of Commerce, U of M Extension, and Wayne State University.

Ms. Parnell was a Founder of Tau Gamma Delta Sorority, Inc., a National Greek Letter Sorority for Business and Professional Women, founded at Lewis College of Business, and a member of Alpha and Beta Chapters. She was also the Founder of the Tau-Ettes, a teenage group organized to inspire and encourage young women to develop an interest and participate in cultural, social and educational activities, along with continuing their education pursuit.

Civic and community organizations have been numerous. She was a member and past president of the Elliottorian Business and Professional Women's Club, Inc., the oldest organization in Michigan for Black Business and Professional Women. Her church family was Plymouth United

Church of Christ, Congregational, where she served as a member of the Trustee Board, President of the Plymouth Singles, President of the Plymouth Angels, Treasurer of the Plymouth Circle of Friends, and a member of the Consolation Committee. She was active with the Plymouth Nursing Home Worship Team at DMC, and a volunteer at the Charles H. Wright African American Museum. Also, she was a life member of the NAACP.

Ms. Parnell worked for the AFL-CIO for many years prior to becoming an employee of the City of Highland Park, where she was the Executive Secretary to the late Honorable Robert B. Blackwell, Mayor. She also worked at the McGregor Public Library with the Director, Viola W. Ndenga (deceased) as a Librarian Specialist. Ironically, she returned to City Hall as an Administrative Assistant to Arthur Blackwell, son of Mayor Blackwell.

Aunt Juanita, as she was lovingly called by her MANY nieces and nephews, loved people and will always be remembered by her beautiful smile and gracious manner for she was indeed a people person.

Ms. Grace Juanita Parnell departed this life on Sunday, June 7, 2026, at the age of 108 years. Her parents; only sister, Thelma Louise Hunt; nephews, William “Billy” Taylor and Robert G. Parrish; niece, Vicki E. Wilson; and great-nephew, Lawrence “Rock” Stockett all preceded her in death.

She leaves to cherish her memories three nephews and four nieces; Richard Taylor (Pat), Andre' Scott, Steven Parrish Sr. (Diana), Marsha Byrd, Lavonia Stockett, Denise Jones (Robert) and Brenda Simmons (James); as well as a host of great, great-great, great-great-great nieces and nephews, cousins, and extended family and friends.