If you are a fan of the American gospel singing group Anointed Pace Sisters, then we are sure you have heard the angelic voice of the group’s lead singer and evangelist Duranice Pace. She became famous when a video clip of her singing went viral online in 2017. This endeared her to many people across the world, which attracted massive publicity for the group.
The sisters who were each blessed with a unique voice and singing talent, use their music and life experiences to preach salvation and healing to the World. The news of her demise was greeted with feelings of sadness and shock, for she had lived an inspiring life.
A Brief Biography of Duranice Pace
Pace was born on 13th May 1958 in Atlanta, Fulton County, Georgia. She was raised as the second child in a family of ten children by her parents Bettie Ann and Murphy Pace Jr. in a small community called Poole Creek.
Her father was a pastor of a church, the same ground where she and her 8 sisters fell in love with music and started singing professionally in 1988. It became a way of life for them.
The late gospel singer attended Walter F. George High School in Atlanta, Georgia. She furthered her education after earning a music scholarship at the O.R.M Word Processing School and later continued at Andrew College in LaGrange, Georgia where she majored in music.
Life and Death of Duranice Pace
The late singer while alive had her share of life’s challenges, but in the midst of it, she never fails to show immense gratitude to God. For she had realized early on the gifts God bestowed upon her and decided to spend the rest of her life praising and worshiping him.
As a toddler (3 months old), she broke both ankles but still managed to pull through. Similarly, one of the many miracles of her life was surviving a rat poisoning in Rochester, New York that saw half of her vocal cords chopped off. She was told she wouldn’t be able to talk again, but it never came to pass.
Whenever she overcomes a challenge, life throws another. But she has never given up, she fought to the end. She was diagnosed with thyroid cancer around 2008, and doctors told her she has only three years to live. However, she lived with the disease for 13 years.
She made the revelation on the Steve Harvey show. The TV personality couldn’t hide his emotions, and tears flooded. She passed away due to health complications on 14th January 2021 at the age of 62.
The news of her death was a rude shock to her fans, followers, and people who found healing, and consolation in the soothing words of her music.
Also See- Tony Croatto – A Look Into The Life And Death Of The Singer
Who Was Her Husband?
There isn’t much information about her husband and his identity. The only piece of detail about him that the singer and preacher have ever spoken about is his infidelity in the marriage.
According to her, she had to deal with her husband, the only man she has ever loved who had an affair with 19 men. However, we are not sure of the above insinuations.
Her Career
She and her eight sisters (Phyllis, June, Lashun, Melonda, Dejuaii, Leslie, Latrice, and Lydia) came together and formed The Anointed Pace Sisters. The gospel group didn’t only perform at the Stellar Awards alone; they were also nominated. They feature in some big movies such as The Fighting Temptation and Tyler Perry’s Medea’s Family Reunion.
They released five albums, which include;
The gospel singer and preacher on her part released a couple of solo projects independently. They include;
In 2020, her autobiography Poison to Purpose: A Gospel Legend’s Journey was released. The book gave an insight into her life and the challenges she encountered.
As an evangelist, the late gospel singer was a Jurisdictional Elect-Lady of Evangelism and National Evangelist. She was privileged to minister to both US and Korean militaries, traveling around the globe preaching the gospel and singing.
She was the founder of The Anointed Word Restoration Fellowship Church in Christiansburg, Virginia.
Other Facts About Duranice Pace
1. She Was A Victim Of Sexual Assault
At the age of 12, her mother asked to stay with her grandmother who had a stroke. She took a bowl of food to her drunk uncle. He grabbed her as soon as she opened the door, flung her on the bed, and tore her clothes.
Her grandmother heard her shouting ‘Jesus’, and stepped into the room with a broom in her hand, and hit him until it broke. She bled for three months.
2. Inspired By Her Dad To Sing
Pace revealed in a 2020 interview with Voyage ATL that she started singing at the age of 5. The inspiration came from her dad who was a professional quartet singer for Gospel Starlights. She would peep into the living room when her father is having rehearsals with his singing group every Wednesday.
3. The Inspiration Behind Her Style of Gospel
Her dream as a child was to sing on Broadway. Interestingly, her style of the gospel is exceptional which was inspired by musical films and Broadway plays.
4. She Lives A Son Behind
The late gospel singer and preacher had a son. His name is Demarcus Wardell Love. He would be the one to protect all the legacies she left behind.
