ANNETTE PACE

10/07/1948 - 01/19/2023

Annette Pace, Ed.D., (Ann) departed this life unexpectedly on January 19, 2023, in Alexandria, Virginia, at the age of 74.

Born on October 7, 1948, in Houston, Texas, Ann was the first child of Robert and Alberta Pace. She was baptized at a young age at Fourth Missionary Baptist Church under the Reverend E. Stanley Branch.

Ann attended Jack Yates High School and received a Bachelor’s degree from Texas Southern University and a Master’s degree in education, with an emphasis in counseling, from the University of Houston.

Ann’s career was a testament to her dedication and service to her country. She began her career with 10 years of active duty in the United States Navy. Her first assignment was in Washington, D.C., with the Navy Drug Abuse Control program. Upon completing active service, Ann joined the Naval Reserves. She served a combined 30 years in active/ reserve Navy and retired in the year 2000 as a Captain.

While in the Reserves, Ann began a civilian career in the federal government working with the General Services Administration and later in the Departments of the Navy and the Army. During this period, she also earned a Doctorate in Education from George Washington University, District of Columbia.

In 2000, Ann joined the U.S. Customs Service, which later became U.S. Customs and Border Protection. She served the federal government for more than forty years, primarily in Human Resources, where she developed Position Descriptions used to make the appointments that brought the Departments of Homeland Security and Custom and Border Protection into existence. She is credited as a Founding Member of the former.

Ann deeply loved and generously supported her family. She is now joyfully united with her beloved parents; brothers, Melvin C. Pace and Larry L. Pace; and sister, Debbie A. Pace.

Cherishing her memory are sisters Dorothy M. Pace (Allan), Hatti P. Finlayson (Malcolm), Emily J. Pace, and Darleane P. Edwards (Mark), half-sister, Winstona Chadwick and a host of nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews.

As we feel the full weight of her loss, we are reminded of John 14:1, “Let not your heart be troubled, ye believe in God, believe also in me.”

A private burial will be held at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia.