Joann Jarvis Pace Gardner, 84 of Midland passed away Wednesday, February 1, 2017 in Midland. Graveside service will be 10:00am Saturday, February 18, at Resthaven North. Memorial service will be 11:00am Saturday, February 18 at the Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home Chapel. Honorary pallbearers will be Sara Watson, Robert and Marion Frazier, Rudy and Pat Rendall, John and Louise Gee, George and Sadie Alther, Joe and Bonnie Feagan, and Fred K. Yates. Family visitation and luncheon will immediately follow the service at The Branch at Nalley-Pickle & Welch. Viewing will be from 8:00am to 5:00pm Monday, February 6, and Tuesday, February 7 at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home and Crematory in Midland.Joann was born August 22, 1932 in Sweetwater, Texas to Irby B. Jarvis and Nora Mae Horn Jarvis. She graduated from Sweetwater High School in 1949 and attended the University of Texas in Austin. Later she graduated from Western Union Telegraph School in Oklahoma City, and worked as a Clerk Operator for them in Sweetwater and Killeen, Texas. Joann married Jack Pace in 1951, and later married Glenn Gardner in 1961. She was a member of Covenant Presbyterian Church in Midland from 1965-1978. In 1988 she became a member of Trinity Presbyterian Church where she was Ordained as a Deacon in 1998. Joann served on the Robert E. Lee High School Youth Center Board and was also President of the PTA from 1981-1982. Joann was a member of the Permian Basin Geological-Geophysical Auxiliary, and the Beta Sigma Phi International Sorority since 1953. She worked as an Executive Secretary /Receptionist for St. Luke’s United Methodist Church from 1988-1997 and also was a Bridal Consultant and Wedding Coordinator from 1973-2006. Joann was a friendly, energetic and caring person. She was a wonderful homemaker who enjoyed gardening, volunteering and socializing. She loved entertaining her many friends and family. She was a great organizer in her personal and business life. Joann was an avid LHS fan and never missed a chance to attend a Lee football game.Those left to cherish her memory are her sons Dr. Bruce Jack Pace of Buffalo, NY, Jay Bryce Pace and wife Pam of Midland, Britt Glenn Gardner and wife Sally of Houston; daughter-in-law Sheila Sprague of Buffalo, NY; grandchildren Irby Brad Pace, Jr. and wife Jessica, Marijke Pace Kemble and husband Dennis, Connor Shae Pace of Denver, CO, Taylor Jay Pace of Houston, Austin James Pace of Austin, Dylan Thomas Gardner of Houston, Tyler Glenn Gardner of Houston; great granddaughters Marnie Kemble, Olive Kemble, and Maya Pace; numerous nieces and nephews.Joann was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and son Irby Brad Pace.Memorials may be made to Home Hospice, Hospice of Midland, or the favorite charity of your choice.,
