Joyce Johnson Pace

Joyce Merle Johnson Pace died peacefully at home surrounded by her family early morning, March 21, 2025. She was born January 28, 1931 to Audrey Merle Archer Johnson & Clifton Carlyle Johnson in Sonora, TX. She married Rev. Harvey Rudolph “Rudy” Pace at Munger Place Methodist Church on August 26, 1960 in Dallas, TX. She was a graduate of Sonora High School, she attended the University of Texas, graduated from Scarritt College (BA Speech), and then returned to Scarritt College for a Masters in Literature and History of the Bible. Her early career was working in ministry and church Christian Education at First Methodist Church – San Marcos, TX; Graham Road Methodist Church – Falls Church, VA; and Munger Place Methodist Church – Dallas, TX. After her marriage to Rudy, she continued her ministry of teaching Sunday School, starting Mother’s Day Out, and developing various programs for both adults and children at each church where he served as Pastor. During that 40 plus year ministry, they were at churches in Texas towns including Bremond, Nash, Freeport, Baytown, Mont Belvieu, Orange, Crosby, Jacksonville, and Madisonville.

Joyce’s most cherished role was to be a mother. She often told the story of when her oldest son “Dolph” was born with Down’s Syndrome. Doctors at the time said he should be institutionalized. Joyce had a vision of Jesus talking to her saying, “Your name is ‘Mother.’” She knew then that Dolph would come home with her and be with her always. This same love carried over to her son Robert and daughter Joy.

Joyce also enjoyed a long successful career as a public-school teacher, teaching elementary (mostly 4th and 5th grades) in Orange, Crosby, Jacksonville, and Madisonville, Texas. Her hobbies included voracious reading, theological and spiritual study, and China Painting which she later enjoyed teaching to interested friends. In their retirement, Joyce, Rudy, and Dolph moved to Marion, South Carolina, Rudy’s family home. After several years in Marion, she, Rudy, and Dolph moved to Abilene, Texas to be near son Robert and his family. When Robert felt called to seminary in the Episcopal Church in 2009, Joyce, Rudy, and Dolph moved to be near daughter Joy in Lake Charles, LA, in 2011.

While in Lake Charles, Joyce has been a faithful member of First United Methodist Church, continuing to teach in the Open Door Sunday School class where she enjoyed friendship and fellowship. Joyce’s personality can be summarized by the fact that she would often tell people, “When I first sat in the sanctuary of First United Methodist Lake Charles, I decided this was the church for us because it would be a great place for my funeral someday.”

Joyce is preceded in death by her beloved husband Rev. Rudy Pace; oldest son Dolph (Harvey Rudolph Pace, III); parents Audrey and Clifton; sisters Jean, Carolyn, Johnnie; and brothers Jack and George. She is survived by her son Rev. Dr. Robert F. Pace, his wife the Rev. Dr. Jill Walters, and their daughter Catherine Pace, all of Fort Worth, Texas; daughter Joy Klumppace and her wife Chelsea Klumppace, both of Lake Charles, LA; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends around the country.

Ever the visionary, her funeral will be held in the Sanctuary at First United Methodist Church of Lake Charles, at 11:00 am, Friday March 28th, 2025. Rev. Weldon Bares is officiating. Burial will be at a later date in Marion, South Carolina.

Memorials can be made to: 1st United Methodist Church Lake Charles Memorial Fund, 714 Pujo St., Lake Charles, LA 70601. The family would like to extend a special thank you to the "Open Door" Sunday School class of 1st United Methodist Church, Lake Charles, the caring staff of The Garden Assisted Living Facility, and Heart of Hospice.