Pastor Pearl Elva (Allen) Pace

Pastor Pearl Elva Pace, a trailblazer, preacher, and spiritual leader whose unwavering faith and dedication left an indelible mark on us. Pastor Pearl passed away on March 18, 2025 at her home in Kansas City, Kansas surrounded by her family and loved ones as the Lord peacefully called her home. She was born on November 17,1941 and was the eldest of two siblings to the union of Otha and Lucille Allen. At the tender age of seven, while sitting in her grandmother’s chair, God spoke to her and told her that she would attend the Eight Street Baptist Church. At the age of 14, she accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and while actively working in the church, she met the love of her life, Howard Pace.

She attended Sumner High School where she was a majorette, a member of the choir, active in the Girls Athletic Association and involved in various school organizations. 

Howard and Pearl, also known as “Sweet Pearl” were inseparable. They shared 68 beautiful years together and were married on June 26,1960. To this union they had three daughters, Kelli Geneen, Camille Yvette, and Cecille Lynette.   

After serving diligently at Eight Street Baptist Church as youth leaders, Sunday school teachers, and deacon and deaconess, Howard was called to the ministry to preach the Gospel on January 26,1976 and they went on to serve as pastor and first lady of Greystone Heights Missionary Baptist Church. After pastoring for seven years, Pearl Pace felt the unction of the Holy Spirit to preach the Gospel. This was just the beginning. Howard and Pearl had a higher calling. God gave Pastor Pearl the vision of a church coming from Heaven down, as in the scripture Revelations 21:2.

It was because of this vision; New Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Temple Full Gospel was established. Pastor Pearl was a pillar of strength, wisdom, and an advocate for faith, unity, and love, inspiring generations with her leadership, compassion, and tireless service. She was a pioneer for women in the ministry, breaking down barriers and trailblazing the path for future generations along with her sister Carol F. Watson. She empowered women to accept their call and reach their potential in Christ. She guided these women by giving them a platform and a voice to deliver their trial sermons to be licensed and ordained in the ministry.   

Pastor Pearl was proceeded in death by her parents, Otha and Lucille Allen and Wilbert and Arnette Pace; aunts, Viola and Barbara Jean Davis and grandmothers Eva Davis and Pearl E. Smith; her grandfather Clifton Allen. She leaves to cherish her memory, her husband Howard Pace of Kansas City, KS; her daughters, Kelli McRae (Trudor), Camille Allen, and Cecille Swan (Craig) all of Kansas City, KS; her brother, John Battles (Jocelyn) of San Antonio, TX; her sister, Pastor Carol Watson (Horace) of Kansas City, KS; one aunt, Aldoria Lindsay of Kansas City, KS and a host of grandchildren, greatgrandchildren, great-great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of other family members and love ones.

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