Rhoda Jane Paschal and Matthew Lee Bowers were united in marriage at a 7 pm wedding Saturday, November 7, 2009, in the First Presbyterian Church. The double– ring ceremony was officiated by Dr. Sinclair Buchanan Ferguson. Wedding music was provided by Ronald Miller, organist, Ann Benson and David Bankston, soloists, and the Palmetto Pipes and Drums.

Mrs. Matthew Lee Bowers The bride, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Sheldon Paschal III, is the granddaughter of Charles Alexander Jones and the late Rhoda Jane Jones and Mrs. Robert Sheldon Paschal Jr. and the late Mr. Paschal. The bride is a graduate of A.C. Flora High School and she earned a BA in communication from the College of Charleston. She made her debut at the Camellia Ball and was a guest debutante at the Columbia, Assembly, and Cotillion Balls. She sings with the Sandlapper Singers and is employed by Estates Management of Columbia.

The bridegroom, son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Ransom Bowers, is the grandson of Mrs. Roy Lee Faulks and the late Mr. Faulks and the late Mr. and Mrs. Edward Berry Bowers. The bridegroom is a graduate of Hammond School and he earned a BS degree in finance from the University of South Caroline. He is a member of the Tarantella Dance Club and is employed by Keenan, Suggs, Bowers, Elkins, LLC.

The maid of honor was Ann Sheldon Paschal, sister of the bride. The bridesmaids were Sara Bowers Reed, sister of the bridegroom; Ida Dargan McMaster; Lauren Kinard West; Catherine Beard Ramsey; Rebecca Boyd Jones, cousin of the bride; McKenzie Brunson Newton; Harriette Cleveland Best, cousin of the bride; Ruth Irvin Bowers, sister–in–law of the bridegroom; Mary Louise Jones, cousin of the bride; and Emily Lauren Paschal, cousin of the bride. The flower girls were Emma Graham Eaddy and Grier Faulks Eaddy, cousins of the bridegroom.

The father of the bridegroom served as best man. The groomsmen were Robert Trevor Bedell; Robert Ransom Bowers, brother of the bridegroom; John Pendleton Grove IV; Arthur Williams Gudmundson; Brian Joseph Hallman; Michael Harold Johnson Jr.; Campbell McLain Manning; Thomas Franklin Mauldin III; Jason Grice Morris; Andrew Cleveland Reed, brother– in–law of the bridegroom; and Hunter Elliott Suggs.

The bride, who was given in marriage by her father, wore a wedding dress tiered with satin and organza. A full skirt fell below the knee of the strapless fitted dress, which had a chapel length train. The gown’s bodice was enhanced with bows down the back. The veil was made of organza piped in satin.

A reception was held at Forest Lake Country Club.

After a wedding trip to the Bahamas, the couple will reside in Columbia.