Mary Jessie Pace

On Friday, January 24, 1930, in Luverne, Alabama, a baby girl was born to Essie Lee Tillman. Her name was Mary Jessie Smith. She was the second of her siblings. In the early days, Mary was affectionately called "May Jessie" by her family and friends. She graduated from George Washington Carver High School in Montgomery, Alabama.

Mary accepted Christ at an early age at Faith Temple, in Columbus, Ohio, under Bishop Goodwin. At the age of 25, she met and married John C. Pace, in Columbus, Ohio. To this union, four children were born: Gwendolyn, Joyce, Johnny and John Jr. Around that time, John Sr. and Mary joined the Original Glorious Church where Bishop I.W. Hamiter was pastor. Members would call Mary, Sister Pace.

Sister Pace was a devoted mother. She took in three foster children, Jerry, Jennifer and Janice Divens and cared for them alongside her biological children, becoming a family of seven siblings. At about that same time, Anna Marie Fischer joined the family as a surrogate grandmother. The Pace family was the blueprint of the nuclear blended family.

Sister Pace, while raising her children, went on to enroll and graduate from (Columbus City Schools in Cooperation with the State of Ohio, Department of Education, Division of Vocational Education) and received her Occupational Therapist Assistant certificate in 1970. She enjoyed a rewarding career as a Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant, working at Heritage House (Jewish Community Center).

Sister Pace was a very driven and tenacious person. She served as the founder of the prayer band, missionary president and The Ohio Dioceses Mother of the Original Glorious Church body. Mother Pace went on to become the Assistant Pastor of the Apostolic Glorious Church located at 517 St. Clair Avenue where Bishop John C. Pace Sr. was pastor.

Throughout her journey, Mother Pace enjoyed serving the Lord. She walked in the footsteps of Christ by serving as a humanitarian to her community. She ran the church’s food pantry, founded a bread ministry (where she picked up items from the Kroger Bakery and distributed it to the community), spread the word of God through missionary work, hosted and cared for people on their death beds and encouraged all who she encountered to live life out loud.

Married for nearly 70 years, Mother and Bishop Pace are role models for other husbands and wives aspiring to live Godly lives, together. The unwavering love between Mother and Bishop Pace led them to renew their vows and rededicate their lives to one another in 1992. During the final stage of Mother Pace’s life, her pastor, bishop, confidant and beloved husband served as her faithful caregiver, assisted by daughter, Joyce.

It was Sunday, March 9, 2025, when the Lord called His servant home. At 95 years of age, Mother Pace lived to see four generations before entering eternal rest at her home in Columbus, Ohio, with family by her side. Our love and memories of her will remain forever.

Mother Pace was preceded in death by her mother, Essie Tillman; siblings Willie (Faygo) Tillman, O’Garie Tillman, and Patricia McPherson. She leaves to cherish precious memories: her dedicated husband, John C. Pace Sr., daughters, Joyce C. Pace of Columbus, Ohio and Gwendolyn Pace of Troy, Ohio; sons, Johnny Rondell Pace and John C. Pace Jr of Columbus, Ohio; eight grandchildren, Danisha (Donte) Curry of El Mirage, Arizona, Destiny Adams, Elizabeth Troy, Johnny Pace, Jr, Jessica Pace, Johnny Pace III, Khadija Green and Jordan Pace; great-grandchildren, Ichauna Johnson, Nia Troy, Antoinette Harlin, Janih’ya Cambell, Antonio Pace, Ivan Curry and Jayden Franklin Pace; as well as God children: Jessie Gaston, Saundra Laidlaw, Bobby Williams, Michael and Bobby Christian and a host of nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, close relatives, extended family and friends.

Bishop Pace and his family will receive guests on Friday, March 21, 2025 from 10:00 AM until 11:00 AM promptly followed by the service at 11:00 AM held at the Original Glorious Church, 2030 Joyce Avenue in Columbus, Ohio 43219.

Interment will take place following services at Glen Rest Memorial Estate, 8029 East Main Street, Reynoldsburg, Ohio 43068.

The family would like to give a special thanks to all the loved ones who helped Bishop Pace and Mother Pace down through the years, it is greatly appreciated.