Elaine Susan Pace

Elaine Susan Pace completed her earthly journey at home surrounded by her family on September 15th, 2025. The world was a better place for the years Elaine was here. She will always be remembered and deeply missed. On the night before she passed, Elaine talked about her death and said “I am saying goodbye to people I loved but saying hello to other people I love.”

She was born on September 19th, 1958 in Farmington, New Mexico to Roy M. Bauer, Jr., a petroleum engineer and Eleanor M. Pottenger Bauer, a registered nurse and homemaker. The family moved often with her dad’s job, landing in Levelland, Texas in 1966. This fortuitous relocation paired Elaine with her future soulmate, Terry Pace.

Elaine graduated from Levelland High School (1977) and South Plains Community College (1979). She then attended Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas, graduating in 1982 with a bachelor’s degree in early childhood development.

Terry and Elaine married on August 24, 1979. They moved several times while Terry pursued his PhD in psychology, finally settling in Norman, Oklahoma, where they raised two daughters, Leah and Erin. Elaine worked in the insurance field for 25 years, but her most treasured work was being a mother and grandmother.

Elaine is survived by her devoted husband of 46 years, Terry Pace, their two daughters Leah Lackner (and husband Jacob Lacker) and Erin Clayborne (and husband Michael Clayborne), and her granddaughter Emelyn Clayborne. She is also survived by her brother Russel Bauer (and wife Judy) of Alvin, Texas, her sister Patsy Felter (and husband Dick) of Farmington, New Mexico, her brother-in-law Ricky Pace (and wife Terresa) of Levelland, Texas, her nephew Jason Pace (and wife Lindsey and daughter Weaver) of Aledo, Texas, her niece Christy Bynum (and husband Tim and daughter Ellis and son Asher) of Lubbock, Texas.

Elaine was preceded in death by her parents Roy and Eleanor Bauer of Levelland, Texas, her parents-in-laws, Glen and Berdell Pace of Levelland Texas, her son-in-law Michael’s brother, Marcus Clayborne, and by her many beloved pets over the years.

Elaine spread kindness and compassion everywhere she went. She enjoyed working with children and volunteering at the Mary Abbott Children’s house in Norman, Oklahoma. She was an avid animal rescuer and advocate and volunteered for various animal rescues, Wild Care Oklahoma, and Norman Animal Welfare. You would often find her rescuing a turtle from the side of a road or helping a lost dog find its way home (sometimes, into her own home!) She instilled these same values in her daughters, who are continuing her legacy.

In lieu of flowers, if you would like to make a memorial donation in her honor, please donate to Wild Care Oklahoma or Mary Abbott Children’s House.

Elaine’s guiding principle was “Keep Moving Forward.” Elaine’s spirit has moved forward on its journey, but she will never be forgotten. Elaine would want us all to move forward with kindness and compassion in our lives. We encourage you to honor her by living kindly, loving your family, and being the person that stops to rescue a turtle on the side of the road.