Janis Pace

Janis LaDele was born on April 7, 1954, to Guin and Bobby Shuping in Abilene, Texas. She spent most of her childhood years growing up in Fritch, Texas, with her younger sister Dee. At the age of 13, Janis, with her mom and sister, spent the summer in the hot paradise of New Orleans. After attending a Saints game and making a return trip to the city at the age of 16, Janis fell in love with all things New Orleans and was a life-long Saints’ fan.

In 1972, she graduated from Sanford-Fritch High School and moved to Amarillo. Janis’s greatest passion in life was serving people in the food industry.  Over the years she spent time working at various Amarillo restaurants including the Blue Front, Beef Rigger, and David’s Steakhouse.

Janis married David Pace in June of 1983, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. She loved being involved with any activity involving her children, serving as Girl Scout leader, homeroom mother, band bus monitor, and was their biggest cheerleader.

Janis was a long time member of the St. Mary’s Cathedral Choir and had a general love of all music. She retired from Ben E. Keith Foods in May 2019 with 20 years of service. She became well known for her excellent bartending skills at various events and fundraisers. She loved meeting and talking to new people. Her latest joy included being a “grandma” to her three beautiful grandchildren, two step-grandchildren, and “Mama Pace” to her many “adopted” grandchildren.

Janis was a passionate Breast Cancer advocate, participating in the Susan G. Komen 3-day 60 mile walk for seven years, 24 hours in the Canyon, and the annual Susan G. Komen 5K walk. This passion gave her an extensive support system as she fought her own eight year battle against Breast Cancer.

She is preceded in death by her parents; and a brother.

Janis is survived by her husband, David Pace of Amarillo, TX; daughters, Cassi Turlington (Josh) of Amarillo, TX and Elizabeth Pace of Tokyo, Japan; son, Bobby Pace of Amarillo, TX; sister, Dee Martinka (James) of Granger; grandchildren, Andrew, Aubrey and Jakob; two step-grandchildren, and one step-great grandchild.