CENTRAL CITY – Patricia Rae Key Pace, 87, of Central City, passed away quietly Friday, June 13, 2025 at Baptist Health Deaconess Hospital in Madisonville. Born August 8, 1937 in Muhlenberg County. She was a graduate of Central City High School, attended Georgetown (Ky) University and was a graduate of North Texas State University with a degree in Home Economics.
Ms. Pace was a member of Central City First Baptist Church for almost 50 years. She always had a heart for missions which began in her teens working at what was then known as Cedarmore Baptist Assembly (now Cedarmore Crossings Camp). This passion for servanthood continued throughout her life as she was heavily involved in Southern Baptist Woman’s Missionary Union. She worked with WMU at the church level while living in Boonville Ind.. Then in Niles Mich., she worked, not only at the church level, but also at the state level as Music Director for summer girls’ camps and on the Michigan WMU Executive Board. Upon returning to her roots in Central City, she continued her involvement as the Church WMU Director, Association WMU Director, and served several terms on the Kentucky WMU Executive Board, including a stint as Vice-President. Outside of WMU she has been a Board Member for Oneida Baptist Institute and a volunteer for Kentucky Disaster Relief, operating a food trailer following the Homestead Florida hurricane. She also owned and operated a restaurant and catering business and taught culinary arts for the Job Corps.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Paul Wayne and Mary Ellen (Fortney) Batsel, husband of one year, Glen E. Pace, and husband of 56 years, Bobby L. Key.
Survivors include, her brother, Anthony (Vronah) Batsel, of Forest, Va., sister Janice (Charles) Powell, of Hopkinsville, sons, Philip Key of Dunmor, Paul Key of Murray, Robert Key of Murray; daughter, DeAnna (Dwayne) Smith of Central City, along with 12 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
The family has entrusted Tucker’s Funeral Home in Central City with the arrangements. Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Thursday June 19, 2025, and Celebration of Life will be at 11:00 a.m. on June 20, 2025, with Bro. Jerry Eades and Bro. Bill Egbert officiating. Burial will be in Rose Hill Cemetery in Central City. Online condolences may be made at Tucker Funeral Homes.com. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Kentucky WMU Heritage Foundation. Information and envelopes will be available at the funeral home.
