When the time comes to bid this life farewell, we should find comfort in knowing that a loving God will be there with us to guide us to our new home.

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Mrs. Ann Pace, also known as Lena Ann Russell Pace, on June 27, 2026. Born on May 13, 1944, in Louisa, VA, she was a beacon of love, strength, and resilience who lived a life dedicated to service, family, and the pursuit of knowledge.

As Maya Angelou profoundly put it, "I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." Ann left indelible memories in the hearts of those fortunate enough to know her.

Ann moved to Silver Spring, Maryland, where she resided for the last five years of her life, but her true home was in the countless hearts she touched throughout her 82 years. A retired Federal Tax preparer, she served in the Department of Treasury until her retirement in 1999, with a career that was marked by dedication and excellence. Her professional life was a testament to her intelligence and meticulousness. As a single leaf does not fall without the whole tree feeling it, so too was Ann’s impact on her workplace. Everyone who worked with her felt the weight of her integrity and the warmth of her kindness.

She is survived by her sons, Haywood Pace, Jr, Oliver Pace, and daughter Patricia Pace, who she loved with all her heart. Her family was the cornerstone of her life, and her love for them was boundless, as was theirs for her. Ann was predeceased by her parents, Robert and Viola Russell, who instilled in her a deep sense of compassion and resilience.

As Helen Keller beautifully expressed, "What we once enjoyed and deeply loved we can never lose, For all that we love deeply becomes a part of us." Ann’s love for her family has become a part of them, and her spirit will forever live on in their hearts.

We invite you to join us in celebrating Ann's remarkable life by sharing your memories and uploading photos to her memorial page. Let these shared experiences serve as a testament to her enduring spirit. Through our collective remembrances, may we keep Ann's legacy alive, and allow her spirit to continue to touch our lives.

To the Pace family, we at D. D. Watson offer our most sincere sympathy and condolences. Our prayer continues to be that your abiding faith in God will lend to you a measure of comfort that will strengthen and sustain you during your time of sorrow.

It is during such times as these that we draw upon our faith, stand upon our scriptures, and rely upon our God. There is no question that in this and through this, God will keep you, comfort you, and sustain you. You and your family are forever in our prayers.