Mr. Matthew Pace

Adams announces the passing of Mr. Matthew Pace, 85 who transitioned on Wednesday, October 18, 2023 at his residence.

JOURNEY OF LIFE
for
Matthew “Papa” Pace

“A good man’s steps are ordered by God!”

Matthew Pace was introduced to this world July 25, 1938 in Savannah, Georgia. He was the
fourth child born to the union of James and Geneva Taylor Pace.
Matthew was educated in the public schools of Savannah Chatham County and was a 1958
graduate of Alfred Ely Beach High School.

Matthew became involved in the Savannah Boys Club at an early age. In 1954, the Savannah
Boys Club became the Frank Callen Boys Club, now Frank Callen Boys and Girls Club. One of his
favorite sports was basketball. He was a member of the Frank Callen Boys and Girls Club
Alumni Association, where her served as a member of the calling committee.

Matthew began working at Bill Kehoe Tire Company immediately after graduation in the Recap
Department. He was a dedicated and committed employee. When the family needed tires, we
called “Papa” and he helped us to keep rolling. Always a man who totally supported his family.
He was promoted to Manager of the Recap Department and later as Manager of the Sales
Department. After working for Kehoe for twenty-five years, the company was sold to Hughes
Tires Company, where he retired in 1995. His second career was a machine operator at Georgia
Pacific. He continued in this position for ten years and retired in 2006.

Matthew and Margie were united in Holy Matrimony June 24, 1962. They loving reared two
beautiful and intelligent daughters, Debra and Trenise. Their love is a perfect example of how
Christ loves the church – unconditional love!!!

In 1998, Matthew along with the late Joe Murray Rivers and James Holmes, met for breakfast at
Shoney’s Restaurant on East Victory Drive.  They made several suggestions. One suggestion was
to have all the guys meet for breakfast at Shoney at 9 a.m. on Tuesday mornings. Another
suggestion was for each person (Pace, Holmes and Rivers) to contact at least one of their &
buddies & quote; to extend an invitation to the next scheduled breakfast. They all agreed that the
scheduled breakfast would not only be a way to keep in touch but to also provide a means for
mutual encouragement as well as an opportunity to discuss world events, the community,
politics and discuss things that they could do to help make Savannah a better place for children
and elderly adults.  

Upon retiring for the second time, Matthew became more involved in the community. He is a
founding member of the Moultrie Mission established by a group of family members giving
service to the community. He was elected Chairman of the Board of Directors for Moultrie
Mission in 2007, when it acquired 501c3 status. He was very instrumental in Moultrie Mission,
Inc. relationship with Memorial Medical Center Children’s Hospital. He actively participated
and volunteered wherever he was needed. His service to the community aligns with his
Christian belief – Matthew 25:35-39: “For I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat. I
was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I
needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you
came to see me.”

Matthew was a servant leader at Second Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church, Hitch Village for
more than 50 years. He sang in the Harold Baker Angelic Choir. Matthew had a passion for
teaching and was a Sunday School teacher and served as Superintendent of the Sunday School.
He was a member of the Gerron D. Miller Memorial Choir and Outreach Ministry. He touched
the life of many young people in and outside of the church. He attended Bible study and led the
Moultrie Family in bible studies. Dea. Pace was ordained as a deacon under the pastorate of
Rev. Harold Baker. He served as Chairman the Deacon Board for two years. He served faithfully
as a Deacon until the health of his wife, Margie, began to fail. He was a member of the New Era
Missionary Convention of Georgia, Inc., and a member of the Laymen Department and
treasurer of the Southern Region.

He was preceded in death by his parents, James and Geneva Pace, siblings, Leroy Pace, Sr.,
Louise Pace, and Harold Pace, Sr.

Matthew will be loving remembered by wife of 61 years, Margie Taylor Pace; daughters, Debra
(Willie) Pace Benjamin and Trenise Pace; sister, Janice Pace; three granddaughters, Sharnerial
A. May, Dunyji L. Simmons, and Mar-Ling S. May; two great grandsons, Zyheim D. Hamilton and
Zaiyde M. May; two great granddaughters, Zaylin J. Fields and Zai’Hannah Fields; a host of
nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Funeral Services 11:00, Wednesday, October 25, 2023 at St. Paul CME Church.

Viewing: 4:00 - 6:00 PM Tuesday, October 24, 2023 at the Funeral Home.

Entombment: Forest Lawn Memory Gardens