Tarrian LaShun Pace (September 6, 1961 – March 21, 2022),[1] professionally known as LaShun Pace and sometimes credited as LaShun Pace-Rhodes or Shun Pace-Rhodes, was an American gospel singer, songwriter and evangelist. Pace was also a Stellar Award winner[citation needed].
LaShun Pace | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Tarrian LaShun Pace |
| Also known as |
|
| Born | September 6, 1961 Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. |
| Died | March 21, 2022 (aged 60) Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. |
| Genres | Gospel |
| Occupations |
|
| Instrument | Vocals |
| Years active | 1976–2022 |
| Labels | |
| Website | singlashun |
Biography
editEarly life and education
editPace was the fifth of ten children born to Pastor Murphy J. Pace and Bettie Ann Pace in Atlanta. Pace along with her sisters and brother were raised in a small community called Poole Creek. For high school, Pace attended Walter F. George High School (now known as South Atlanta High School); graduating in 1979.[2]
Career
editPace began singing professionally during her teen years in the mid-1970s, performing solo and later alongside her sisters in the group The Anointed Pace Sisters which formed in the late–1980s. Pace's singing and ministering skills were honed while she was on tour with the Rev. Gene Martin and the Action Revival Team, and in 1988 she recorded In the House of the Lord with Dr. Jonathan Greer and the Cathedral of Faith Church of God in Christ Choirs for Savoy Records. The label signed Pace as a solo artist soon afterwards. In 1990, she released her debut album He Lives, which reached the number two spot on the Billboard gospel charts and featured her signature song "I Know I've Been Changed". The follow-up song Shekinah Glory, appeared in 1993. Three years later, Pace returned with Wealthy Place, which included the song "Act Like You Know" featuring Karen Clark Sheard.
In addition to successive releases such as 1998's Just Because God Said It, Pace also enjoyed a career as an actress, most notably co-starring as the Angel of Mercy in the 1992 Steve Martin film Leap of Faith.[3] LaShun Pace was inducted into the Christian Music Hall of Fame[4] in 2007. She was to attend the official presentation ceremony with many guests to be formally inducted, but became ill and unable to attend. In 2009, LaShun was nominated for Urban Performer of the Year in the Visionary Awards. Winners were to be announced live during the 2009 Christian Music Hall of Fame Awards Show[5] on November 14, 2009.
Personal
editPace was married to Edward Rhodes, a Georgia–based pastor from 1985 until divorcing in 1993. Pace met Edward Rhodes by joining the backup group with the Late Reverend James Moore. Ms. Pace between was featured on his recording projects before his death in 2000. Rhodes was responsible for producing and managing Lsahun Pace, The Anointed Pace Sisters and Pastor Murphy Pace 111. His management led to her signing with Savoy Malaco Records. Together they had two daughters; Xenia Pace Rhodes (b. August 31, 1989,[6]–d. February 11, 2001) and Aarion Pace Rhodes (b. July 20, 1993). In 2003, Pace released an autobiography entitled For My Good But For His Glory in which she discussed a wide range of topics, including the death of her first-born daughter, Xenia who had an enlarged heart and died of a heart attack.
Illness and death
editPace had been on dialysis for several years and was awaiting a kidney. She died of organ failure according to her family on March 21, 2022, at the age of 60.[7]
Discography
edit- In the House of the Lord with Dr. Jonathan Greer and the Cathedral of Faith Choir (1988)
- He Lives (1990)
- Shekinah Glory (1993)
- A Wealthy Place (1996)
- Just Because God Said It (1998)
- God Is Faithful (2001)
- It's My Time (2005)
- Complete (2007)
- Reborn (2011)
- "By Your Word" (2014)
- "Joy" (2019)
- "The Spirit" (2021)
References
edit- ^ Dodge, Timothy (2013). The School of Arizona Dranes: Gospel Music Pioneer. Lexington Books. p. 165. ISBN 978-0-7391-6713-7.
- ^ Classmates - 1977 Walter F. High School (Atlanta, Georgia) Georgian Yearbook
- ^ Rossi, Rosemary (March 21, 2022). "LaShun Pace, Legendary Gospel Singer, Dies at 60". TheWrap. Retrieved March 23, 2022.
- ^ Official Christian Music Hall of Fame web site Archived 2010-12-29 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ 2009 Christian Music Hall of Fame Awards Show Archived 2012-05-15 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Rhodes, Aarion Mychkiel. "Happy Heavenly Birthday to my first best friend. I miss her every single day. She would have been 31 on the 31st, so I would have wanted to go all out for her this year. That only happens once!!! 💕 My mom had this portrait made; it was our first day of school in the back seat of our grandparents Cadillac! Lol #BestBigSisterEver #HappyBirthdayXenia". Instagram.com. Retrieved April 9, 2022.
- ^ Nunez, Gabrielle; Suro, Paolo (March 21, 2022). "Renowned gospel singer-songwriter from Atlanta dies, family says". 11 Alive. Retrieved March 21, 2022.