BPL Remembers Thracie Pace, Longtime BPL Friends Bookstore Manager

Thracie Pace served as manager of the BPL Friends Bookstore for many years.

Thracie Pace, who recently retired as longtime manager of the BPL Friends Bookstore, has passed away.

A visitation time for friends and family is scheduled for Thursday, May 21, from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., at Johns-Ridout's Funeral Parlor Southside Chapel, 2116 University Blvd., in Birmingham. Pace died on February 22, 2020, at age 60 from pneumonia complications.

Pat Rumore, immediate past president of the Friends Foundation of the Birmingham Public Library, said Pace "left an indelible mark" on the BPL Friends Bookstore.

"(Thracie) was popular with both Bookstore patrons and library staff, as well as having a smart business mind and a book-loving heart," Rumore said. "I worked closely with her and admired her commitment as a volunteer and her leadership in the Bookstore. She will be greatly missed and my condolences go out to her family and friends.”

The Birmingham Public Library is grateful for the tremendous contributions and dedication that Thracie Pace provided to the Friends Bookstore for many years, said BPL Deputy Director Janine Langston.

“Her friendly smile and boundless energy will be greatly missed and remembered," Langston said.

Read Pace's obituary by clicking on the link below:
https://obits.al.com/obituaries/birmingham/obituary.aspx?n=thracie-lexine-pace&pid=196199335 

The family requests that in lieu of flowers please consider donating to the Friends Foundation of the Birmingham Public Library.

BPL Friend Bookstore Manager Thracie Pace with volunteers Ben Gaultney, left, and Michael Gray. 

Thracie Lexine Pace was born June 3, 1959, in Butler, Alabama. She graduated from Patrician Academy in Butler, and was voted homecoming queen at the school. After high school, Pace moved to Birmingham, where she made a home with her common-law husband, Charles Smith.

Thracie's greatest joy came during her many years as manager of the BPL Friends Bookstore. She had a joy for reading and loved to help others gain access to books. Besides passionately serving patrons at the bookstore, Thracie helped usher in reading programs for children as well as the elderly at nursing homes and other facilities.

An amazing cook, Thracie learned her wonderful cooking skills from her beloved grandmother, Fannie Allen Crenshaw. She was also extremely creative and saw the beauty of art in all things. She loved God and her family.

Thracie is survived by her mother, Maxine Pace; Aunt Margie Richardson; brother Preston Pace, niece Taylor Rae Newton, and nephews Braxton and Greyson Pace.

Besides today's 5:00-8:00 p.m. visitation at Johns-Ridout's Funeral Parlor, a graveside service for Thracie will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 23, 2020, at Butler City Cemetery in Butler, Ala.