At 102, Copeland Pace has ‘had a good life’

Every Tuesday and Thursday, you can find Copeland Pace playing bingo at the Heardmont Senior Center. On a recent Thursday in October, a special party was coordinated by the staff to celebrate his 102nd birthday, complete with pizza, cake and ice cream. 

The Greystone Village resident, born on Oct. 22, 1916, has been a staple at the bingo group since July. He says he enjoys playing the game and likes to see his friends. 

Growing up on a farm near Russellville, Pace was one of 11 children. Two of his brothers are still living, both in their 90s. 

“I was a regular farm hand from the time I was 9 years old,” he said. 

A 1938 graduate from Russellville High School, Pace was drafted for World War II but wasn’t sent overseas. He spent three years in the military as a regional mail carrier on a base in Florida and said he was the most popular man on campus.

“Those boys would be waiting for me every day hoping to get mail from home,” he said. “They were always glad to see me.”

Throughout his career, Pace worked as a grocery store manager before working for the federal and state government for 20 years each.  

“I was in charge of the manpower training program for the region and my territory covered eight states, mostly with health education and welfare,” he said.

Pace’s caregiver, Shirley Boyd, has been with him for the past four years. She originally came to help take care of his wife, Reba, who passed away last year at the age of 98. The couple were married in 1940 and spent 77 years together. 

Boyd makes the drive from her home near Birmingham-Southern College every day and said she works long hours, but it is worth it.

Boyd describes Reba as the “sweetest lady” and said they became best friends. She made a promise to Reba Pace to take care of her husband after she passed away. Boyd said this would be her last job as a caregiver because of the emotional difficulties that come with losing someone with whom she becomes so close. 

Copeland Pace is in good health, despite suffering a broken hip last year after tripping over a rug in his home. 

“He is a strong-willed man and loves people,” Boyd said.

Another weekly tradition for Boyd and Pace is their lunch at the Fish Market restaurant every Friday. They’ve done this for the past two years, and she said Pace is always happy to see his favorite waitress, Bonnie. 

“He loves catfish,” Boyd said. “Catfish, salmon and chicken are his favorites, and he also enjoys dining at Mexico Lindo on Hollywood Boulevard.”

Although he has given up his hobbies of painting and tending to his rose garden, Pace continues to be active. On non-bingo days, Boyd takes Pace shopping at Walmart and also to the track at Greystone Elementary. His granddaughter takes him to church every Sunday at Meadow Brook Baptist Church, where he has been a member for more than 20 years.

He also enjoys visits from his family. He has two children, his 71-year-old daughter who lives close by in Inverness and 67-year-old son who lives in Georgia. He also has four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. 

When asked about living 102 years, Pace simply said, “I’ve had a good life.”