-----------------------------------------------------------------------
With bowed down heads and sorrowful hearts, Dr. Judith Christie McAllister, International Minister of Music and President, along with the entire constituency of the International Music Department, Church Of God In Christ, are saddened to announce the passing of Evangelist Duranice Pace, the oldest daughter of the Pace Family and member of the legendary Anointed Pace Sisters.
Born May 13, 1958 in Atlanta, Georgia and raised in a small community called Poole Creek, to the union of Superintendent Murphy Pace, Jr. & Bettie Pace --- Evangelist Duranice Pace was destined and preordained to sing His praises and to preach and teach the Word as a dynamic woman of God.
The second-born child of ten children in all (brother, Bishop Murphy Pace, III transitioned in 2011), Evangelist Pace grew up singing in school and community talent shows while traveling from church to church singing and making hearts glad with her unique, strong, God-given voice. She graduated from the Walter F. George High School in Atlanta, Georgia. She continued her education at the O.R.M. Word Processing School in Atlanta and also Andrew College in LaGrange Georgia where she majored in music under a music scholarship.
Together, Evangelist Pace and her 8 sisters (Phyllis, June, Lashun, Melonda, Dejuaii, Leslie, Latrice and Lydia) joined to form the legendary, iconic gospel group, “The Anointed Pace Sisters.” These extraordinary women of God have been nominated and performed at the Stellar Awards, along with appearances in blockbuster movies such as “The Fighting Temptations” with Beyoncé’ Knowles and Cuba Gooding, Jr., and Tyler Perry’s “Medea’s Family Reunion”.
The Anointed Pace Sisters released five albums during their tenure, 1992's “U-Know” with Savoy Records, 1995's “My Purpose” again with Savoy, then 2003's “It's Already Done” by their own label Gospel Pace, 2006's “Return” by Tyscot Records, and 2009's “Access Granted” from Tyscot Records. The group's albums U-Know, My Purpose, Return, and Access Granted” charted on the Billboard Gospel Albums chart. Recently, The Anointed Pace Sisters were blessed with the opportunity to use their voices on numerous commercials for Jiffy Lube International, Incorporated. Evangelist Pace also enjoyed travel as a featured vocalist with Ambassador Dr. Bobby Jones and his Nashville Super Choir.
In January 2020, Evangelist Pace's autobiography, "Poison to Purpose: A Gospel Legend’s Journey" was released on Noah's Ark Publishing. The famed gospel singer also released a few solo projects independently, including, 2013's "Just Duranice," and 2019's"The Making of A Solider."
A daughter of the Church Of God In Christ, Evangelist Pace was a Jurisdictional Elect-Lady of Evangelism and National Evangelist, who has been blessed to minister to U.S. & Korean soldiers. Evangelist Pace has traveled across this country and around the world preaching and singing for God. Evangelist Pace also founded The Anointed Word Restoration Fellowship Church in Christiansburg, Virginia.
In addition to her sisters, Evangelist Pace leaves to cherish her legacy her only begotten son, Mr. Demarcus Wardell Love, along with a great host of nieces, nephews, cousins, her fellow gospel artists, and industry friends.
May the Lord grant peace, comfort, and strength as we undergird the entire Pace family with our extended love and prayers in the transition of this beloved woman of God and cherished voice in the Gospel Music community.
Comments