Ruth Ann (Rice) Pace - Benton, IL Ruth Ann (Rice) Pace, 82, of Benton, IL, died at 5:00 a.m. Wednesday, September 21, 2011 at her home. Mrs. Pace was born on August 2, 1929 in West Frankfort, IL the daughter of Paul Rice and Dorothy (Moore) Rice. She married Sherwood Pace in 1951 and he preceded her in death on July 22, 1994. Ruth Ann was a retired grade school teacher and a lifetime member of the First Baptist Church, Benton, IL. She donated her time by helping at the Benton-West City Ministerial Alliance Food Pantry. One of her favorite pastimes was playing cards with her card playing buddies. Surviving relatives include three sons, Bruce Pace and wife June, Evansville, IN, Brad Pace, Mt. Vernon, IL, Brent Pace, Benton, IL, two granddaughters, Brittney Pace, Benton, IL, Lori Poe and husband Jonathon, Luling, LA, one grandson, Maddox Pace, and one great-granddaughter, Natalie Poe, Luling, LA. Mrs. Pace was preceded in death by her parents and husband. Visitation will be from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Friday, September 23, 2011 at the Hobbs-Johnson Funeral Home, Benton, IL. Funeral services will be held at 3:00 p.m. Friday at the funeral home with Pastor Bill Carter officiating. Burial will be in the Masonic and Odd Fellows, Benton, IL. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois, 204 Halfway Road, Marion, IL 62959 or the Benton-West City Ministerial Alliance Food Pantry and will be accepted at the funeral home. Visit www.hobbsjohnson.com to sign the memorial guestbook.