Ronald Henry Pace

Ronald "Ronnie/Ron" Henry Pace passed away March 7, 2025. He was born on November 9, 1944, and was a lifelong resident of Nash County. He is preceded in death by his parents, Opie and Edith Brantley Pace of Stanhope, N.C.
He leaves behind to cherish in memory his wife of forty-seven years, Brenda Bass Pace. His sister, Gayle Pace. Son, Ashley Pace and wife, Kim; Patrick Pace and wife, Erin; son, Daniel Pace. Seven grandchildren: Morgan, Aubrey, Henry, Ezri, Tully, Theo, and Tovi.
Ronnie was known for his devotion to family, friends, his faith and the communities where he grew up and lived. To say he was a Renaissance man is an understatement. He thrived on learning, teaching, becoming knowledgeable and educated on a wide range of topics: religion, history, music, literature and sports, to name a few.
His was educated at Stanhope School through the eighth grade. He graduated from Spring Hope High School, where he excelled and lettered in baseball, football and basketball. Later, he graduated from Atlantic Christian College with a major in Physical Education and History. While at ACC he played baseball and was captain of the team his senior year. Eventually, he received an additional degree in Deaf Education.
Over the course of almost four decades, Ronnie was a teacher and coach. He taught in several public-school systems, but the lion's share of his career was at the Eastern North Carolina School for the Deaf (ENCSD) in Wilson, N.C. There, one of his favorite activities was planning trips for his students, both domestically and internationally. The day after he retired from ENCSD, he woke up, put on one of his signature teaching ties, and started his tenure with the Nash County Public School System. Everywhere Ronnie taught, he coached men's and women's sports: football, basketball, volleyball, soccer and track & field. On weekends, he was on the field with his sons, Ashley, Patrick and Daniel. Most recently, Ronnie stuck to the sidelines watching his sons, Patrick and Daniel, coach their own students and children.
Ronnie's faith was paramount to how he approached and lived his life. He grew up attending Stanhope Baptist Church. In 1977, with plans to marry the love of his life, Brenda, he joined Momeyer Baptist Church, where he professed faith in Jesus Christ and was baptized. He served as a Deacon, Sunday School Teacher, Brotherhood Director and on numerous committees related to children and youth. He organized and helped plan church mission trips and was instrumental in carrying out the mission of loving your neighbor.
Because he built his life around serving others, Ronnie became very involved in the N.C. Baptist Men's Disaster Relief and Recovery effort. He traveled the U.S. and world helping those who had been impacted by hurricanes, tornadoes, fires, floods and earthquakes. Then, at home, he made sure his neighbors had firewood for warmth and constantly provided a hand up.
From 1991-2018, Ronnie served the Town of Momeyer as a Council Member and liaison with the Upper Coastal Plain Council of Government. He loved The Momeyer Ruritan Club and served as President for multiple years. He especially supported and enjoyed their biannual barbeque chicken fundraising dinners, cooking and networking with friends. Recently, he was the recipient of the "Ruritan National Foundation Tom Downing Fellow Award" noting his professional and personal effort supporting his community.
Ronnie enjoyed sassy jokes, long funny stories and, especially, sharing them with others. He loved to laugh. He played his music loud and drove like he could win at Daytona. His hands were rarely idle -- always doing, giving and living.
John 15: 12-13 "This is my commandment. That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."
Please join us for a Visitation, Monday, March 10th from 6 to 8 pm at Cornerstone Funeral Home, Nashville, N.C. A Memorial Service will be held Tuesday, March 11th at 11 am at Momeyer Baptist Church followed by a Graveside Service at Forest Hills Cemetery, Nashville, N.C.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Momeyer Baptist Church, 4967 Momeyer Way, Nashville, N.C. 27856.