Obituary of Julie Ann Schmidt

Julie Ann Schmidt, 52, of Pensacola, Florida, passed away October 10, 2023.

She was born in Shreveport, Louisiana in 1971, to parents Thomas Dale and Margaret Ann Wallace.

Julie graduated from Parkway High School in Bossier City, Louisiana in 1989. She moved to Pensacola in the fall of 1989 with her mother, Annie, and stepfather Bill Griffin. Julie began her career in the automotive service industry with Vince Whibbs Pontiac as a receptionist in 1990. Julie was curious and ambitious. She watched and learned from the dealership service writers, parts department personnel and service technicians. In 1993 she was promoted to Service Writer and Dispatcher. For the next 30 years, Julie worked in various dealerships and independent garages. She excelled in the auto service industry as an Automotive Service Writer and Shop Administrator, gaining the respect of her coworkers and customers alike. Many of her loyal customers followed her for years, trusting her with their vehicles and appreciating her cheerful customer service.

The love of Julie’s life was her daughter, Victoria Riley Pace. She always considered raising Tori as her best accomplishment. Julie was so proud of everything Tori did and the beautiful woman she is today. Julie loved spending time with her family and her many Chihuahuas (always more than one). A perfect day would include thrift stores and garage sale shopping, getting a deal was always a thrill. She enjoyed the beach and never said no to a boat ride opportunity. Julie had a great sense of humor and was always ready with a wisecrack to make people laugh, usually by poking fun at herself. Her beautiful smile would light up the room.

Julie was preceded in death by her maternal grandparents Edward T. and Mildred R. Roberts of Shreveport LA and paternal grandparents Raymond Wallace and Donna Jean Wallace of Des Moines, IA, her uncles, Eugene Debrow, David Roberts, Duane Wallace and cousin, Brian Laux.

Julie is survived by her daughter, Victoria Riley Pace, mother Annie Griffin (Bill), father Tom Wallace (Carla), sister Valerie Ruth Barnes (Dennis), and half-brother Bailey Wallace (Jennifer), half sisters Chelsea Coppage (Levi) and Ashley Houser (Marcus). She is terribly missed by her many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, coworkers and her fur babies, Sophie and Kiki. We all loved her so much.

A memorial service celebrating the life of Julie Ann will be at 10:30am on Saturday, December 9, 2023 at Perdido Bay United Methodist Church, 13660 Innerarity Point Road, Pensacola, Florida. Dr. Levi Gardner will officiate and a reception will follow.