Mary Faye (Hoots) Pace

Mary was born in Yadkinville, NC to the late George and Bertha Hoots. Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, the Rev. Dr. Lawrence J. Pace, Jr; brother William Hoots; and sisters Jessie Poindexter, Barbara Howell, and infant sister Georgia Hoots.

She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Melissa and Charles Bolick of Hickory; three grandchildren, Christopher Bolick, Mary Katherine (Nathan) Watts, and Nicholas Bolick; three great grandsons, Gabe Watts, Judah Watts, and Silas Watts; sister Ann (Bobby) Hauser; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

After high school, Mary attended Draughon Business College in Winston-Salem. Upon completion she worked for the Veterans Administration and eventually moved to Washington, DC where she worked for the CIA as a secretary to the head of the Directorate of Plans, later known as the Clandestine Service.

A friend in Washington introduced her to the love of her life, Larry Pace, while he was home on leave from the US Air Force before leaving to serve in Korea during the war. After he returned from Korea, they were married in Yadkinville, NC in 1954.

After Larry completed seminary they moved back to the DC area where he served several churches before becoming senior pastor at Abingdon Baptist Church in Abingdon, VA. Mary enjoyed being a housewife and mother, and serving alongside her husband in his ministry. She faithfully served in many areas of the church, including Sunday School teacher, VBS teacher, WMU, Training Union teacher, Ladies’ Bible Study, and Shalom Singers youth mission trips. Mary enjoyed painting, ceramics and

time with friends crafting. She was a member of Book-Lovers Club and garden club. She cherished her friendships with so many people in Abingdon.

They moved to Hickory to be close to family after retirement. They joined and became active in First Baptist Church Hickory and made many new friends. Known as Momo to her grandchildren, she enjoyed attending their activities. Mary loved cooking, especially for her family who thoroughly enjoyed it! She loved her family very much and supported each of them in all of their endeavors.

Mary will lie-in-state Friday, February 12 from 4 to 7 pm at Hickory Funeral Home for those wishing to pay their respect. The family will not be receiving. A private family service will be held Saturday and will be led by her nephew, the Rev. Chris Hauser. Pallbearers will be grandsons Christopher Bolick and Nicholas Bolick, son-in-law Charles Bolick, grandson-in-law Nathan Watts, and nephews Randy

Howell and Mickey Hauser.

The family would like to thank the staff at Brookdale Hickory Northeast and Trinity Village for the love and support they showed during her care, and a special thanks to caregiver Donnakay Peissel.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to Abingdon Baptist Church, 361 W Main St, Abingdon VA 24210 or to First Baptist Church, 339 2nd Ave NW, Hickory NC 28601.