By Marco K. Merrick
Special to the AFRO

HAT-B 90th Birthday was the theme of the Sunday afternoon luncheon to honor Mrs. Jean E. Merrick on a tremendous milestone.

Adorned in her usual finery, a beautiful hat, gloves and fine accessories, she entered the hushed Ellicott Room of Matthew’s 1600 in Catonsville, where nearly 150 family and life-long friends awaited her arrival. There was no shouting, “Surprise!”  Everyone just waited for her to notice the room of guests – hailing from Baltimore, Washington, D.C., New York, Pennsylvania, Boston and Bermuda – resplendent in their Sunday best.

Seeing familiar faces, her family and a room full of ladies donning hats, fascinators and fine garments, and gentlemen in suits and ties, she smiled and waved, still not realizing they were there for her. When the applause erupted, her son Dr. Marco Merrick whispered in her ear, “Happy Birthday, Mom,” as she tearfully covered her face with her white gloves.   

The ballroom was decorated with an array of Mrs. Merrick’s tremendous millinery collection, including some of the finest hat designers – Frank Olive, Jack McConnell, Mr. Kurtz and Halston. Known for her style, grace and regal deportment, whether in a formal, business, social or casual setting and absolutely for Sunday church, for decades, the setting was ideal. The party’s theme emulated the Baltimore native who has modeled poise and elegant deportment from her youth, in her young married life and beyond.    

Guests enjoyed a sumptuous buffet of seafood, beef and chicken entrees, salads, croissant sandwiches, delicious side dishes, rolls, a dessert table and beverages from the bar. Following the meal, Dr. Merrick identified the guests who spanned every decade of his mother’s life. Among the glowing tributes from her children, Mrs. Merrick heard reflections from her more than 50-year marriage with their father, Mr. Thomas W. Merrick Jr. before his transition in 2002. 

Eldest daughter, Ms. Janet Merrick shared a love letter and tribute from Dr. Brad R. Braxton, her pastor at the Open Church of Maryland and current president of Chicago Theological Seminary, followed by a heartfelt missive from one of her social circles “The Ebony Queens.” 

Mrs. Jean Merrick’s five granddaughters all presented citations and proclamations from Gov. Wes Moore (who has known the honoree more than 20 years), Mayor Brandon Scott and other elected state and city officials. State Del. Sean Stinnett, D-District 41, presented Mrs. Merrick with flowers and loving adulation. The brief program concluded with her sons and daughters reciting to their mother the same verses from Proverbs she publicly presented in 1973 during Women’s Day at Shiloh Christian Community Church, where she and her husband raised their family over 45 years.

A “hidden figure” in her own right, Mrs. Merrick retired in 1989 from Westinghouse Electric Corp. (now Northrop Grumman) as an electric systems division inspector, and was among the first women and African Americans to enable the quality assurance process for engineers.  A graduate of George Washington Carver High School, the former Jean Ware matriculated with her childhood sweetheart whom she married soon after graduation. They began and raised their family throughout Thomas’ U.S. Air Force career and his subsequent success in Cortez Peters Business School, at the University of Maryland Hospital and as a world class chef in some of Baltimore’s finest restaurant establishments. Through their 50-year marriage, Thomas and Jean Merrick were great entertainers in their home, enjoyed traveling with friends and their organizations across the country, in Europe, Central America, the Caribbean, West Africa and Canada. They frequented Broadway in New York City at least three to four times yearly because of their love for the theater and “all things New York.”  Often during New York jaunts, Thomas added to Jean’s extensive wardrobe at New York department stores and special boutiques, adding classic garments, accessories, furs and her preferred leather gloves in all colors. His knack for style and good manners was reflected in his presentation as well. 

Jean E. Merrick has held membership in several organizations, including her social club during young adult life, the Deltarettes, past president of the Progressive Adult Circle, more than 50 years in the Fellowship Club, the GMTW Dinner Club, the Season Saints, and more than 43 years in the United Ushers Fellowship of Baltimore. She was recently honored for her years of service and leadership as an usher for more than 60 years.  She was named Woman of the Year in Shiloh Christian Community Church in 1990, and was the director of the Women’s Division in the United Council of Christian Community Churches of Maryland and Vicinity.  While a member at Douglas Memorial Community Church, Mrs. Merrick was an usher and active participant in the International Council of Community Churches. She has a new close-knit bond with “The Ebony Queens 2.0,” friends with whom she talks daily and with whom she can be found often having dinner at Baltimore’s Center Club or at their favorite Sunday Brunch spot – First Watch in Owings Mills.  

As the crowd rose to sing a joyful “Happy Birthday,” the honoree was thrilled to see a beautiful cake decorated with miniature hats and ornaments. Following the dessert buffet, her guests lined up for photos at the birthday display and special seating for the matriarch of five living generations. It was a 90th HAT-B Birthday to remember for Mrs. Merrick and all who attended.