Stella Pace

Stella L. Pace, 86 years of age, went home to be with the Lord on Saturday December 3, 2011 at Mainland Medical Center. She was born February 18, 1925 in Holland, Texas and was one of eleven children born to Simon and Ida Karl. She married Joe W. Pace in 1940 and together they survived the Great Depression. She picked cotton and was paid fifty cents per 100 pounds and could pick 200 pounds a day She managed to save 40.00 to pay the doctor for the delivery of her first child, Barbara. Her daughter later told her that was the best deal she ever had.
In 1946, the family moved to Texas City and survived the 1947 Disaster. In September of that year, a second daughter, Melba, was born. In 1952, Sandy was born, completing the family. In 1956, tragedy struck the family on a trip to visit grandparents for the Christmas holidays. They survived a serious car accident, leaving Stella paralyzed and in the hospital for nine months. Through sheer determination and hard work, she came home and was able to care for herself, home, and family. If one word could be used to describe Stella, it would be a Survivor. She was a survivor long before the popular TV show appeared on the scene. She never let her handicap stop her from leading a normal life, even though she was confined to a wheelchair for 55 years. She cooked, cleaned her house, hung laundry outside, and made her famous afghans. She worked in her flower garden and had several articles and pictures featured in the Texas City Sun. She also worked for several years as a telemarketer for the same newspaper.
Not only was she an amazing homemaker, Stella also worked diligently in her church, Landmark Missionary Baptist Church, for years serving as the Flower Lady in charge of ordering flowers for the ill and bereaved of the congregation. She taught Sunday School and helped with crafts in Vacation Bible School as well.
In her later years, Stella became involved in the Seniors Program at the Nessler Center. She was a FortyTwo Champion with the trophies to prove it Stella served as treasurer and was on several committees. She was also instrumental in helping the Seniors acquire a handicap accessible van. Through her persistent reminders to former City Commissioner, Carl Sullivan, the van became a reality.
Stella was appointed by former Mayor Chuck Doyle to serve on the Advisory Board for the Handicapped of Texas City. She was one of the first members to be involved in Heritage Village, serving as Historian and working on many fundraising events. She was extremely proud of the building and accomplishments of the residents. Stella was truly an amazing woman and will be missed by all who knew her.
Stella is preceded in death by her parents, husband, Joe, daughters Melba Summers and Sandy BellLoflin, five brothers Henry, Jack, Arthur, Kenneth, and Howard Karl and 3 sister, Annie Price, Jane Gilmore, and Margaret West. She is survived by two sisters, Mary Schmidt of Belton, and Ruth Yielding and husband Weldon of Rogers, Texas daughter Barbara Fillip and husband Bill of Texas City six grandchildren, Joe Fillip and wife Leisa of Seabrook, Steve Fillip and wife Andrea of Texas City, Darren Summers and wife Gloria of Texas City, Lisa Summers of Dallas, Wendi Bell of Anchorage, Alaska, and Wade Bell of Seabrook 14 greatgrandchildren 4 greatgreat grandchildren and many loving nieces and nephews who were so faithful to visit her.
Funeral services will be held at EmkenLinton Funeral Home with visitation on Tuesday, December 6 from 57 pm. Funeral services will be 10:00 am on Wednesday, December 7, 2011 with Bro. Mark Smith and Bro. Carl Fitzgerald officiating. Interment will be at Galveston Memorial Park Cemetery in Hitchcock, TX. Pallbearers will be Leon Cogburn, Carl Sullivan, Joe Fillip, Steve Fillip, Darren Summers, and Wade Bell.
The family would like to thank Landmark Missionary Baptist Church, First Baptist Church, the staff at Gulf Healthcare, especially Deb Dickerson, for their care and many acts of kindness, and much appreciation to the Intermediate Care Unit at Mainland Medical Center.

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