Paschal was born in Reidsville, North Carolina. Paschal grew up in a Christian, musically inclined family with her father and his brothers playing bluegrass instruments and singing in area churches as the Paschal Brothers. Paschal's grandfather was a minister who served as an inspiration in her life as she attended his church growing up. As a teenager she, her sister, Kay, and a cousin formed their own gospel singing group called The Gospel Classics. Paschal started her professional career as a vocalist after graduating high school.