Pace was born near Dawson, Georgia. He attended the Georgia School of Technology in Atlanta, and graduated from the University of Georgia School of Law in Athens in 1914 with a Bachelor of Laws (B.L.) degree. While at UGA, he was a member of the Phi Kappa Literary Society.

After admittance to the state bar in 1914, Pace became a practicing lawyer in Americus, Georgia. From 1917 to 1920, Pace served in the Georgia House of Representatives and then served in the Georgia Senate from 1923 to 1924. In 1936, he won election as a Democrat representing Georgia's 3rd congressional district in the United States House of Representatives during the 75th United States Congress. He was reelected to six additional terms in that seat and served from January 3, 1937, until January 3, 1951. Pace did not run for reelection in 1950 and returned to practicing law in Americus. He died in that city on April 5, 1970, and was buried in its Sunset Memorial Gardens.

• Stephen Pace at Find a Grave

• United States Congress. "Stephen Pace (id: P000002)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
• History of the University of Georgia, Thomas Walter Reed, Imprint: Athens, Georgia : University of Georgia, ca. 1949, p.2326