Carolyn Collins Pace

Carolyn Patricia “Pat” Collins Pace passed peacefully into the arms of Jesus on Monday, June 2, 2025, at 12:27 p.m. in San Diego, California, while visiting family. She was 94.

Born August 8, 1930, in Adams Station, Mississippi, Pat was the daughter of Elsie Columbia Smith and Chalmers Allan Collins. The first grandchild and only girl, she was the apple of her family’s eyes. Raised on a working farm, Pat’s early years were spent climbing trees with her two younger brothers and helping in the kitchens of her mother and grandmother.

At age 12, her family moved to Bude, Mississippi. She later attended Mississippi Women’s College (now William Carey University), graduating with a B.A. in Music Education in 1952. While in college, she served as the Administrative Secretary to the university president and sang in the women’s choir.

Pat began her career as choral director at Vinton High School in Louisiana, where she met her future husband, Air Force pilot Theron Henry Pace. Their courtship continued by post during his military service, filled with long letters and postcards from abroad. They married in 1954 in Pat’s hometown church in Bude.

The couple eventually settled in New Orleans, Louisiana, where they raised seven children: Theron Mark, Patricia Kay, Elsie Elizabeth, Robert Wyatt, Chalmers Collins, Jann Enola, and Rebekah Margaret. Pat worked as a legal secretary before becoming a full-time homemaker and masterful home cook. Every two years, a new child joined their family.

The Paces were members of First Baptist Church of New Orleans for 50 years, where Theron served as deacon, Pat directed catering and sang in the choirs, and their children seemed ever-present in the building. Pat’s warmth, creativity, and extraordinary cooking made the church kitchen a beloved gathering place—especially on Mardi Gras, one of her favorite times to host.

Later, Pat partnered with her husband to run a couple of fried chicken restaurants and ran a booth at the 1984 World’s Fair, then continuing her ministry through food at the church, feeding hundreds weekly. She remained musically active, performing in senior choirs, small ensembles, and even singing at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC.

After losing their home to Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Pat and Theron relocated to Madison, Mississippi, to be near their sons. Theron passed away in 2007, but Pat became an active member of First Baptist Church of Madison, singing each Sunday with unwavering joy. Strangers often recognized her from the center front row, noting her joyful, radiant presence and voice.

Pat loved music, food, flowers, books, fitness, and laughter. She baked endlessly—her famous banana bread, carrot cake, and brownies were local legends. She found joy in crafting grocery lists and exploring new recipes.

Her children remember her bursting into morning song in the kitchen, encouraging their musical gifts, and embodying a powerful, loving maternal presence. She was a devoted conservative patriot, a thoughtful conversationalist, and a student of health and longevity, enjoying walking on the treadmill at Planet Fitness late in her life.

Pat was predeceased by her parents, her brother Chalmers (“Sonny”), her husband Theron, and her daughter Jann Enola. She was joined in heaven just days later by her eldest daughter, Patricia Kay.

She is survived by her brother William “Bill” (wife Betsey) Collins; her children Mark Pace (wife Cathy), Elizabeth “Ellie” Lamson (husband Mark), Bob Pace, Chal Pace, and Rebekah Falgout; her grandchildren: Alex Pace (wife Reitte), Natalie Rich (husband David), Bryan Pace (wife Alicia), Collins Pace (wife Emily), Mary Elizabeth Turner (husband Bryan), Ashlee Rebekah Brackeen, Andrew Falgout, and Milla Pace; and her great-grandchildren Jack, Charlie, Anna Catherine, and Jacob. She is also lovingly remembered by her ex son in law Wally Falgout who remained a close family friend.

Pat lived with radiant purpose and gave it her all, right up to her last days. She always wanted more life and demonstrated her resilience and conviction to enjoy every moment of each day. She finished with a heart full of love, eyes that shone brightly, and a countenance that blessed all who were gathered around her reading scripture, praying, and speaking words of love and appreciation to her.

There is no possible way to convey the love she transmitted or the way she could make you feel when she sang or spoke with music in her voice, held your hand or gave you her brilliant smile. To her family and friends she embodied unconditional love and light and felt like home. She will live on in the hearts of all who knew her, through the sound of the birds singing, delicious food, aromatic and colorful flowers, oceans, forests, sunrises and sunsets.

Services will be held at First Baptist Church Madison, Mississippi, on July 15. Visitation will begin at 10 a.m. Central, and service will follow right afterwards, at 11 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the First Baptist Church Choir Program in Madison, Mississippi, in Pat’s memory (care of Director Ross Johnson).