Jennie Mae Forbes Mace of The Hermitage, Roanoke, VA, entered the gates of heaven on Sunday, December 18, 2022.  Jennie was preceded in death by her loving husband, Thomas "Tommy" Grey Mace, Sr.

Jennie was born in Stuarts Draft, VA, on October 21, 1934, the daughter of the late Clifton Reed, Sr. and Ernestine Shank Forbes.  Jennie was a resident of Augusta County and Staunton until February of 2020 when she moved to The Hermitage.

Jennie met the love of her life, Tommy Mace, at Wilson High School in Augusta County and they were married July 11, 1953.  She and Tommy were very active with their Wilson Alumni in planning many class reunions and events.   Together they were blessed with three children.  Jennie instilled a great love of God, family, and work ethic in all that knew her.

Jennie attended Madison College and began her teaching career at Stuarts Draft Elementary School.  She taught there until she became a stay-at-home mother.  Jennie returned to teaching at Churchville Elementary School as a teaching assistant.  She then became a Weekday Religious Education teacher at Churchville Elementary School and North River Elementary School until her retirement.  Jennie was a loving disciple of our Lord and helped many children in Augusta County learn about God.

Jennie attended Stuarts Draft Baptist Church until her marriage.  She then joined Beverley Street United Methodist Church and later Christ United Methodist Church.  In 1974, Jennie and her family became active members of Memorial Baptist Church where Jennie served as a Sunday School teacher and leader of several women's circle groups.

In addition to her parents and husband, Jennie is preceded in death by her brother, Clifton Reed Forbes, Jr., and infant sister Priscilla Lee Forbes.

Surviving are her three children and spouses:  Thomas Grey "T.G." Mace, Jr. and Ginger (Gilbert) of Swoope, VA; Martha Mace Nicholas and Jim of Roanoke, VA; and Natalie Mace Talbott and Kip of Roanoke, VA; and sisters Brenda Kaye Forbes Thompson and Paul and Martha Stuart Forbes Dunlap and Gary, both of Staunton, VA.

Known lovingly as Granny, Jennie is survived by her six grandchildren:  Amy Mace Davenport (Tony) of Staunton, VA; Amanda Mace Clark (Jonathan "Q") of Staunton, VA; Angela Mace of Swoope, VA; Christopher Nicholas (Natalie) of Roanoke, VA; Adam Nicholas (Emily) of Chapel Hill, NC; and Lyndsay Talbott (Brandon Wells) of Roanoke, VA.  Jennie's pride and joy were her seven great grandchildren:  Anthony, Brooke, Brittany, Saige, Declan, Meara, and Oliver.

Jennie is also survived by her uncle, Nat Forbes of Stuarts Draft, VA, many loving sisters and brothers-in-law, and cherished nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Visitation will be held at Coffman's Funeral Home in Staunton on Tuesday, December 27 at 12:00 p.m. followed by a funeral service at 1:00 p.m. led by Rev. Todd Latham of Memorial Baptist Church.  Burial will be at Augusta Memorial Gardens in Waynesboro, VA.

Memorial contributions may be made in Jennie's memory to Hermitage Roanoke Retirement Community (1009 Old Country Club Rd, Roanoke, VA 24017) or The Legacy at North Augusta (1410a N Augusta St., Staunton, VA 24401) where Jennie lived the last years of his life.

Condolences and/or flowers may be sent to the family online at www.coffmanfuneralhome.net .