Martha Pace

1922 - 2016

Martha Jayne Little Pace
1922-2016
After a long life of dedication to her family, country, and community, Jayne Pace gently passed away on February 7, 2016, at the age of 93. She was born in Forest Hill, Texas, a suburb of Fort Worth, on June 20, 1922 to Camilla Berry Little and Robert Russell Little.
She was a proud alumna of Paschal High School and Trinity University.
She leaves behind a legacy of courage, sacrifice, and dedication. As a child she was fascinated with butterflies and their ability to fly; this inspired her to obtain a pilot's license in her early twenties. She developed a passion for flying and always said that "God does not deduct from man's allotted time the hours spent in flying". World War II inspired her with a sense of patriotism and a desire to serve. She gave her greatest service to our nation when she joined for the Civil Air Patrol in 1944. Later in life she devoted countless hours to the Civil Air Patrol in Houston with the Thunderbird Division. Jayne particularly enjoyed working with young people to encourage them to spread their wings and "fly". She attained the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in 2014. Jayne's proudest moment came when she was decorated with the Congressional Gold Medal on December 10, 2014 in Washington DC.
After the war, she worked for Pan American World Airways in Houston, and as a model for Nieman Marcus, Oshmann's, and Ralph Rupley Furs. She was born with an adventurous spirit; always ready to travel and see the world. Jayne was a talented artist with all media, designing clothing and enjoying the creative process. She enjoyed gardening, sailing, and painting which was an inspiration to her children and grandchildren. From 1968 to 1978, Jayne and her husband, John, were proud owners of the Pacesetter Restaurant and Club in the Galleria.
She held many leadership positions in various organizations always making it educational and enjoyable. She was one of the early members of Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church in Houston, Texas and offered her home for worship services and meetings before the original Church building was completed.
She will be deeply missed by her two daughters, Janis Forse Wells (husband Dennis) of Dallas, Texas and Cynthia Pace Tripp of Horseshoe Bay, Texas; four grandchildren, John Carlton (wife Kelli), Melissa Kovics (husband Jarrett), Elizabeth Cameron (husband Brad) and Pace Tripp (wife Anika); seven great-grandchildren, Tyler and Luke Cameron, JD and Michael Carlton, and Hudson, Boden, and Baron Kovics.
Jayne willed her body to medical science so there will not be a funeral. A Celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, April 2nd, 2016, at 11:00am at Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church in Houston, Texas.
In lieu of flowers please send memorials to The Civil Air Patrol, HQ Texas Wing Civil Air Patrol, 553 Terry Crawford Drive, Nacogdoches, Texas, 75964-2468, or Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church, 11612 Memorial Drive, Houston, Texas 77024.