LaShun Pace

Tarrian LaShun Pace (September 6, 1961 – March 21, 2022), 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.

Biography

Early life and education

Pace 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.

Career

Pace 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 with The Edwin Hawkins Singers from 1986 until her death.

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''. LaShun Pace was inducted into the Christian Music Hall of Fame 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 on November 14, 2009.

Illness and death

Pace 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.

Personal life

Pace was married to Edward Rhodes, a Georgia–based minister and intern at Savoy Records in New York, from 1988 until divorcing in 1993 following Rhodes' alleged affairs. She met Rhodes through the late Rev James Moore. Ms. Pace united with Rev. Moore as a label mate on Malaco Records and continued singing with him on various projects until his death on June 7, 2000, due to diabetes. Pace met Rhodes by joining a backup group with Rev. James Moore & Friends. Rhodes was responsible for producing and managing Pace, The Anointed Pace Sisters, and Pastor Murphy Pace III. He was also responsible for connecting her to the Hawkins Family. His management led to her signing with Savoy Malaco Records. Together, they had two daughters, Xenia and Aarion.

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 firstborn daughter Xenia, who had died of a heart attack.

Discography

*''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

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Pace, Lashun
1961 births
2022 deaths
African-American women songwriters
American gospel singers
American autobiographers
Singers from Atlanta
Writers from Atlanta
American Pentecostals
Members of the Church of God in Christ
American women autobiographers
Songwriters from Georgia (U.S. state)
American women non-fiction writers
20th-century African-American women singers
20th-century American women singers
20th-century American singers
21st-century African-American women singers
21st-century American women singers