Ann Russell Pace, cherished wife of Dr. Brantley B. Pace for 70 years and beloved mother of their seven children, died peacefully at home March 7, 2026, in the company of her family.
Born Audria Ann Russell in Tomahawk, Arkansas, September 4, 1932, Ann was the only daughter among the five children born to Pauline Hamilton Russell and Albert Leon Russell. She lived in Arkansas and Mississippi, attending Monticello High School and graduating from Columbia High School in 1950. She met Brantley Pace when he invited her to go to the Spring Revival at the First Baptist Church of Hattiesburg in 1950. Her blue Buick Roadmaster and homemade cake with white icing quickly captured his attention. They married on December 28, 1952, beginning a beautiful love story and faithful partnership that would strengthen their family for decades to come. Ann worked as a bookkeeper at Johnson Music Company while her husband was an undergraduate, and then in the Dean's office in Oxford while he was in medical school.
After moving to Monticello in 1960, they built the Pace medical practice together, first welcoming patients into their home while the clinic was under construction. She checked in patients, helped wherever needed, and remained a steady partner and trusted supporter of her husband and his devoted staff at The Medical Clinic for the next 60 years.
They gave themselves fully to the task of raising a large family. Always having had a love for children and their developing interests, Ann established the first Girl Scout, Brownie, and Cub Scout troops in Monticello, serving as troop leader for the girls in the 1960's. She established the first kindergarten there, as well, at Monticello Baptist Church.
In 1970, she opened the Antique Corner, blending her hobbies of decorating and antiques with her gift for graciously feeding a crowd. For more than 30 years, she shared her talents in design and construction, making homes, banks, churches, and the local community more beautiful.
She approached everything she undertook with resourcefulness and decisiveness. Her family remembers her most as a devoted wife and mother — faithful, forthright, and always honest with a quick wit and contagious laugh. She filled their home with beautiful piano music, playing both hymns and classical pieces for hours a day, even until she was 93 years old.
Ann is survived by four of their seven children: Marita Pace Walton (Ben), Jackson; Dr. Thomas B. Pace (Nancy), Greenville, S.C.; Kathryn Pace Phillips, Brookhaven; and Jan Pace Coker (Sam), Ridgeland. 22 grandchildren remember her with love: Dr. Bennett Walton (Samantha), Rhymes Walton Stabler (Prentice), Marita Walton Ellis (Reed), Anna Pace, Brantley Pace (Kelley), Dr. Richard Pace (Katharine), Dr. Russell Pace (Holly), Josh and Kara Parschauer, Mary Phillips White (Jeffrey), Anna Kathryn Phillips Murphy (Brett), Margaret Phillips, Sarah Phillips Holliday (Ivan), Will Phillips Jr., Virginia, Thomas, Allen and Sonnie Pace, Clay Coker, Louise Coker Rudow (Grant), Joe Coker (Ashley), and Mary Coker. Ann is survived by one brother, Glynn L. Russell of Tupelo. She leaves 22 great-grandchildren and many other family members, as well as friends whom she considered family.
Preceding Ann Pace in death are her husband of 70 years, Dr. Brantley B. Pace, and three of her beloved children: Louanne Pace Parschauer, James Russell Pace and William Barnard Pace; her daughter-in-law, Solange Maria Dibos Pace, and son-in-law, William Edward Philips Sr.; her parents, Pauline and Leon Russell; and three of her brothers, Dr. Harold L. Russell (Evelyn), J. W. Russell (Linda Faye), and Lynn Russell (Beverly).
The Pace family is grateful to St. Luke's Hospice, Jaci King, Brenda Townsend and Larry Smith for their attentive care during her last illness.
Services will be held Friday, March 13 at 2 p.m. at the Monticello Baptist Church with visitation at 1 p.m. at the church. Friends are invited to make any memorial contributions to a charity of your choice, in lieu of flowers.
