Susan Marie Pace

Susan Marie Pace, born Susan Marie Conway on March 15, 1954, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to Thomas and Barbara Conway, passed away on March 8, 2026, at the age of 71. The oldest of nine siblings, she embraced that role with strength, care, and lifelong devotion. She met the love of her life, Barry Pace, at age 14, and the two married on September 2, 1972, shortly after her graduation from South Grand Prairie High School. In March 1980, on her birthday, the family moved to Wills Point, Texas, a community she cherished and called home for the rest of her life.

Susan began working for the Wills Point school district when her daughters started school, and what began as a job became her true calling. Over the next 45 years, she served faithfully as a bus driver, substitute teacher, food service worker, manager, and eventually as Child Nutrition Director. She loved the colleagues who became lifelong friends and especially the students she served each day. Her dedication was evident in her perfect attendance records, her support at Friday night football games, and her determined efforts to improve the dining facilities for students. Just days before her passing, the district honored her by naming the new dining hall in her name, a moment that brought her great joy.

A woman of deep faith, Susan loved the Lord and cared sincerely for others. She was known for her faithful prayers, often filling her bathroom mirror with sticky notes bearing the names and needs of those she loved. She was an active member of Shepherd House Family Church. To her grandchildren she was “Mamaw,” and her great-grandson affectionately called her “Mamaw Pig,” a nickname that reflected her fondness for all things pigs. She found simple happiness on her mower and treasured time with her large family, especially her eight siblings and daily conversations with her godmother, Auntie KaKa.

Susan is survived by her husband of more than 53 years, Barry Pace; daughters Mistie Stephens and her husband Jason, and Mickie Clair and her husband Kevin; grandchildren Kobi Stephens and fiancé Dayton, Tyler Pace Clair and wife Shania, Mason Stephens, Joseph Clair and fiancé Aubrey, Emma Stephens, and Aaron Clair; great-grandson Dakota Pace Clair; her brothers Tommy Conway and wife Christina, Jimmy Conway and wife Tina, Timmy Conway and wife Mimi, and Joey Conway; sisters Theresa Roundtree, Kathy Hall, and Patty Hoskins; sister-in-law Glenda Conway; godmother Karen “Auntie KaKa” Dunn; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents and brother John Conway.