The family will receive friends from 5:00pm until 8:00pm on Sunday, June 20, 2021 at Baldwin-Lee Funeral Home in Pearl. The funeral service will take place at 2:00pm on Monday, June 21, 2021 in the funeral home chapel. The committal service will take place afterwards at Lakewood Memorial Park on Clinton at the Memorial Pavilion.
She was born on June 18, 1941 in Pelahatchie, MS to the late Claude Hall and Carrie Madden Hall. She was a graduate of Brandon High School Class of 1959 and Hinds Community College. Nell was very organized and detailed oriented lady; she was always responsible for planning her High School Class Reunions. A faithful member of McLaurin Heights Baptist Church, she their pianist for several years and a Sunday School teacher where she taught little ones. She also played piano for many other congregations following McLaurin Heights as well, including at Brookleigh Baptist Church in Jackson, where she served as Music Director. Nell retired after 35 years with the State Government, where her responsibilities spanned the State Auditor's Office, the City of Pearl Fire Department, the Public Employees' Retirement System, and the Mississippi Arts Commission. Her 48 boys at the Pearl Fire Department affectionately referred to her as "Aunt B". She adopted every child that came her way and welcomed them into her house. Nell loved everyone she came across just as Jesus did and considered them family. She just wanted everyone to be comfortable, and as long as she could wear her gown and sit in her recliner where she was comfortable, you could always make yourself at home. One her greatest joys in her life was being a "Mimi", as she considered it a privilege to nurture and care for her grandchildren daily while their parents worked.
She is survived by her husband of 51 years, James Pace; daughter, Celia Pace Tisdale (Allen); stepsons, Jeffrey D. Pace (Beth) and Jim Gayle (Darla); granddaughters, Kinsey Madden Tisdale, Shelby Faith Tisdale, and Noe'l Pace Griggs; grandson, Trenton Gayle; great-grandson, Houston Griggs; sister, Nancy Furlow; niece, Susan Furlow; nephew, Mike Furlow (Brooke), great-niece, Rachael Furlow; and great-nephew, Cory Furlow.
