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Our beloved Angel gained her heavenly wings on Wednesday, May 22, 2024.
Rachel Renee Pace was born on March 26, 1964, in Monticello, AR, to Edward (Bo) Pace and Leola Owen Pace. She lived most of her life in the Green Hill community, surrounded by extended family and friends.
At the age of 2, Rachel was diagnosed with Down Syndrome, but that did not slow her down. She was among the first participants in the newly developed Sesame School in the early 1970s. She attended this school year-round and developed many long-lasting friendships. Rachel always had a smile while competing in the local area Special Olympics, where she garnished many ribbons and medals and even competed at the state level, earning even more trophies and medals.
As she grew older, Rachel continued to defy expectations. She continued her education at Advantages of Southeast Arkansas in Monticello, Jodi Partridge in Dumas, and Focus Inc. in Jonesboro, AR. Her determination and personal growth were evident while working two jobs during her lifetime. She spent approximately three years at Pizza Hut before moving to The Other Way Thrift Store. She met so many people and never forgot a name or face.
Rachel's hobbies included singing, drawing, writing, and dancing. Her nieces and nephews were her greatest admirers, and she dearly loved them.
She was preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, Jack and Josie Owen of Star City; her paternal grandparents, Lonnie, and Susie Pace; her father, Bo Pace; her mother, Leola Pace; and her brother, Mike Pace, all of Drew County.
Rachel is survived by two loving aunts, May Hobbs and Cleora Crook of Monticello; her brother, Mark (Chris) Pace of the Green Hill community; sisters Roxanne (Chuck) Karnes of Monticello; Susan (Rodney) Wishard of Enon; and Sally (B.J.) Smith of Jonesboro, and sister-in-law, Carolyn Pace. She also leaves nine nieces and nephews, their spouses, 23 great-nieces and nephews, and a host of cousins.
Graveside services will be held on Saturday, May 25, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. in the Green Hill Cemetery. One hour before the service, the family will receive friends and family at the Green Hill United Methodist Church, all under the direction and care of Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Home.
The family would like to thank the Staff and Nurses of the Dementia Unit at the Woods for taking over our sister's care. We also want to thank the Doctors and Nurses of the Drew Memorial ICU, Drs. Tim and Sylvia Simon, the Staff and Nurses at BelleView Estates Nursing Home and Rehab Center, and our angels at Hospice Home Care of Monticello. Two extraordinary people, Patsy Williams and Inez Whitaker, also helped with our sister's care and transition to her heavenly home.
You can sign Rachel's guestbook here on her page.
Rachel Renee Pace was born on March 26, 1964, in Monticello, AR, to Edward (Bo) Pace and Leola Owen Pace. She lived most of her life in the Green Hill community, surrounded by extended family and friends.
At the age of 2, Rachel was diagnosed with Down Syndrome, but that did not slow her down. She was among the first participants in the newly developed Sesame School in the early 1970s. She attended this school year-round and developed many long-lasting friendships. Rachel always had a smile while competing in the local area Special Olympics, where she garnished many ribbons and medals and even competed at the state level, earning even more trophies and medals.
As she grew older, Rachel continued to defy expectations. She continued her education at Advantages of Southeast Arkansas in Monticello, Jodi Partridge in Dumas, and Focus Inc. in Jonesboro, AR. Her determination and personal growth were evident while working two jobs during her lifetime. She spent approximately three years at Pizza Hut before moving to The Other Way Thrift Store. She met so many people and never forgot a name or face.
Rachel's hobbies included singing, drawing, writing, and dancing. Her nieces and nephews were her greatest admirers, and she dearly loved them.
She was preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, Jack and Josie Owen of Star City; her paternal grandparents, Lonnie, and Susie Pace; her father, Bo Pace; her mother, Leola Pace; and her brother, Mike Pace, all of Drew County.
Rachel is survived by two loving aunts, May Hobbs and Cleora Crook of Monticello; her brother, Mark (Chris) Pace of the Green Hill community; sisters Roxanne (Chuck) Karnes of Monticello; Susan (Rodney) Wishard of Enon; and Sally (B.J.) Smith of Jonesboro, and sister-in-law, Carolyn Pace. She also leaves nine nieces and nephews, their spouses, 23 great-nieces and nephews, and a host of cousins.
Graveside services will be held on Saturday, May 25, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. in the Green Hill Cemetery. One hour before the service, the family will receive friends and family at the Green Hill United Methodist Church, all under the direction and care of Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Home.
The family would like to thank the Staff and Nurses of the Dementia Unit at the Woods for taking over our sister's care. We also want to thank the Doctors and Nurses of the Drew Memorial ICU, Drs. Tim and Sylvia Simon, the Staff and Nurses at BelleView Estates Nursing Home and Rehab Center, and our angels at Hospice Home Care of Monticello. Two extraordinary people, Patsy Williams and Inez Whitaker, also helped with our sister's care and transition to her heavenly home.
You can sign Rachel's guestbook here on her page.