Ruth Pace

Ruth Margaret Pressley Pace passed away at 3:00 am on Friday, August 24, 2012. She was born in Haywood County, North Carolina on July 21, 2015 to Mattie Hall Pressley and Benjamin Harrison Pressley. She was one of 9 children born to Mattie Hall Pressley, later Mattie Hall Medford. She is survived by two brothers, J. E. Medford of Colorado and Jimmy McElrath of North Carolina. She will be reuniting with her four brothers and two sisters who predeceased her.

Ruth married Claude Amos Pace, Sr. in Canton, North Carolina when she was 16 years old. They moved to Pasadena, Texas, along with their 3 young daughters, Doris Pace Thomas, Wanda Pace Wilson and Patricia Pace Richardson when Ruth was 21 and the children were ages 1 through four. Claude A. Pace, Jr. and Sandra Pace Williams were born to the couple after moving to Texas. Ruth and Claude raised their five children while living in Golden Acres and in Pasadena, Texas. Their five children produced 16 grandchildren who lived in Pasadena and Houston for many years. The Pace family was very close, celebrated all holidays together and visited often.

Ruth's husband Claude passed away after 61 years of marriage. Daughter Wanda, granddaughter Suzanne Richardson and great grandson Kelly Modl also predeceased Ruth. In all, Ruth and Claude produced five children, 16 grandchildren, 32 great-grandchildren and 23 great-great-grandchildren, with two more on the way. Ruth was very proud of her legacy of 71 children and grandchildren, and all of them loved her very much. Her passing will be a great loss to her family.

Ruth was an example to all of a life well lived. She did not attain high levels of education or professional success, but instead, she devoted her life to her home and family. She was well known to be an excellent mother, mother-in-law and grandmother. Ruth kept a beautiful home and was a very good cook. She proudly served a well-balanced meal to Claude and her family at 5:00 o'clock every day without fail. She loved reading fiction, historical books, National Geographic and the local newspapers every day. She was interested in current events and politics, and she was well informed on most issues. For a time she volunteered at the local polling place. Ruth's interests were bowling, sewing, gardening, refinishing antiques and even replacing cane bottoms in furniture. Every season Ruth planted flowers in her yard so that there were always colorful blooms to enjoy. She and Claude were given a citation by the city of Pasadena acknowledging their efforts in maintaining a "showplace" lawn over the years.

Ruth remained in Pasadena until 2003 when she went to Harwood, Texas to live with her daughter Doris Thomas. Ruth returned to her beloved Pasadena in late July, 2012 and took up residence at Baywood Crossing. While there she was able to visit with many of her relatives in Pasadena for a final time. Ruth lived a full 97 years, but was ready to depart. She met her death with serenity, confidence and her signature degree of control. We will all miss her because she was one of a kind.

The family wishes to express their sincere gratitude to the staffs at Seton, Edgar B. Davis Hospital in Luling, Texas and Baywood Crossing, Pasadena, Texas for their care, concern and professionalism while caring for Ruth.

A service to celebrate Ruth's life is being planned for Thursday, August 30, 2012 at 12:30 p.m. at Grandview Funeral Home in Pasadena, Texas. Visitation will be at Grandview from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 29, 2012.

Online memorial tributes may be placed at www.grandviewfunerals.com