Duranice Pace, 62, a member of The Anointed Pace Sisters, passed away on January 14 from health complications, Essence reports.
On January 5, the Pace family announced that she had been hospitalized. They did not provide any further information on why she was hospitalized, Variety reported.
Pace’s Instagram page had a post dated on the same day for her fans to support Pace in their prayers:
“Please keep the prayers, support, and love coming as Duranice still fights and gets stronger in the hospital. She is eternally grateful for all of you and she can’t wait to announce a special concert-event that she has been planning with a team of Broadway professionals. Stay tuned and love to you all! – Team Duranice.”
Born and raised in Atlanta, Pace sang with her nine siblings—eight girls and one boy–at her father, Murphy Pace Jr.’s, church, according to the magazine article. She spoke of growing up to Voyage ATL in March 2020, stating, “I got started when I was five years old. I was inspired by my father, who was a professional quartet singer for Gospel Starlights and my mom, who sang during praise and worship [for] what was then known as testimony service at church.” She then added, “My father would have rehearsal every Wednesday in our living room with his singing group, and my siblings and I would peep in on their rehearsals.”
The Anointed Pace Sisters released their first studio album, It’s Morning Time, in 1992, on which Duranice sang both alto and soprano. The group went on to share six more projects, including My Purpose and It’s Already Done. Duranice’s special and powerful style of gospel was inspired by musical films and Broadway plays.
Many people flooded social media with their tributes, whether they knew her or not, and wrote what she meant to them with her music.
One poster said, “There will never be another Duranice Pace #DuranicePace.”
Entertainer Steve Harvey said,” Duranice Pace spoke favor into my life one day, at a time when I really needed it. She was one of those special souls. Rest In Peace.”
Donald Lawrence posted, “My condolences to DL&Co member Latrice Pace & the ENTIRE Pace Family on the loss of your sister Duranice Pace…A one of a kind voice and heart you are in my prayers.”
Rest In Peace, Evangelist Pace, you touched us all with your heavenly vocals and anointed spirit.
