Gospel Soprano LaShun Pace dies at 60, funeral service announced
Recently the ailing songbird shared in an online video that she was going to get assistance with pain management for Shingles. Despite suffering from multiple illnesses the powerhouse vocalist continued to try to uplift others' spirits ministering through a message and songs in online videos. She shared communion and taught about the power of doing the sacred ritual in what may have been her final video.
Sadly loss is no stranger to the Pace family. The Atlanta born artist was preceded in death by her oldest daughter Xenia, whose transition at only 11 years old from an enlarged heart sent the singer into a depression. Her mother, Pastor Bettie Ann Pace and sister Duranice died within a year of each other, 2020 and 2021 respectively. They all shared a powerful connection through music and ministry transferred to them by both their mother and father, the late Pastor Murphy J. Pace.
Pace started in entertainment as a part of the nine member group, The Anointed Pace Sister before going solo. All blood related siblings, the group consisted of Duranice, Phyllis, June, Melonda, Dejuaii, Leslie, Latrice, and Lydia.
In 1991, her debut solo album , He Lives, recorded on Savoy records featured the song that became synonymous with her name, I Know I’ve Been Changed in 1991. Later signed to Malaco Records, the artist received a Stellar Award, was inducted into the Christian Music Hall of Fame in 2007 and lent her voice to many choir recordings. The Colorado Mass Choir called on Pace to sing the title cut of the Stellar Award winning project, "Glad About It" recorded in 2003. In 2015, she and her sisters were honored at the 16th Trailblazers of Gospel Music Awards in Atlanta.
The Atlanta native was also an evangelist who shared the gospel of Jesus down to her final days.
An outpouring of condolences came from the gospel industry. She wed Edward Rhodes, Xenia' father who was a fellow gospel singer. The couple divorced before their daughter's passing.
Pace's soulfully distinct high-pitched voice was truly unmatched. She The Malaco Gospel She sang the song acapella while bringing in the audience giving it an a traditional church feel. She admittedly favored old school music. Pace rendered the James Cleveland classi :Jesus is the Best Thing" oh the Malaco 50th Anniversary celebration in one of her final public performance.
Pace also had an acting career and was featured in the 1992 film Leap of Faith.
The funeral service for Lashun Pace will be held on Saturday, April 2 at the Word of Faith Family Worship Cathedral in Atlanta, GA starting at 11:00 A.M. The funeral will be livestreamed at www.woffamily.org/col. The service is open to the public.
PRAISE & CONDOLENCES FOR THE LATE LASHUN PACE
Georgia based radio announcer Harold Young said:
She was one gifted sopranos in the gospel industry. She has ministered with the late James Cleveland, James Moore, the Mississippi Mass Choir and on countess gospel projects. Her sisters The Anointed Pace Sisters were some of the baddest singers in the country. She will be missed."
“We have lost one of the baddest sopranos to ever walk this earth. LaShun Pace, one of the lead singers of The Pace Sisters, has passed. The Pace Sisters recently loss [sic] their sister songbird Duranice Pace and Mom Pastor Betty Pace. Pray for them and all of us who will mourn this loss.”
