(Delma) Ray Spence, 76, of Ennis passed away on Friday, April 26, 2024 surrounded by his family and friends after a long-standing battle with kidney and heart disease. Ray was born in Corsicana, Texas on July 14, 1947, to J.C. and Christene (Womack) Spence. He grew up in Ennis and graduated from Ennis High School in 1965. He then pursued a life-long career as a rancher, land developer, and all-around jack-of-all-trades. He married the love of his life, Merle (Bowman) Spence on March 4, 1981.
Ray was raised on his family's acreage east of Ennis on FM 85, where he shared farming and ranching responsibilities with his siblings. He and his wife, Merle, later built their homestead closer to town on FM 85 and spent the better part of 40 years there building an empire together.
Ray was driven by his strong love of the outdoors; he had a passion for nature, animals, hunting and fishing. Growing up, he was an accomplished member of the FFA at Ennis High School.
During his lifetime, Ray found himself involved in numerous business ventures—including Spence Dozer Service, which he and his only child, Daryl Ray Spence operated together with the help and encouragement of numerous friends and family members. Daryl describes his dad as a wonderful and proud father. Some of Daryl's fondest memories with his dad include riding around Ray's properties checking fences and livestock. Ray particularly enjoyed antagonizing his grandchildren, which they report with heartfelt laughter. His eldest grandchild, RaeAnne reminisces about her grandparents taking them on shopping sprees to Toys-R-Us. Ray's grandson, Justin, recalls his "Daddy-A" taking him on his first hunt where he shot an 8-point buck.
The consensus amongst Ray's family and friends is that he was truly invested in every interaction he had with each of them. He was a teacher at heart, and managed to impart pieces of his vast knowledge on each of them. He and his wife, Merle also had a knack for gettogethers, and were well-known for their annual Fourth of July Fish Fry—a tradition which the family intends on continuing in their honor.
Ray leaves behind a legacy in his son, Daryl Ray Spence; his grandchildren, RaeAnne (and Paul) Jones; Justin (and Josef) Spence; Edward Spence; and his great-grandchildren, Ayden Jones, and Lorelei Jones. Also left with a life-time of memories together are his sisters, Janell Taylor; Lanita Nelson and Sharla Spence; his brother, Jeff Spence; and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends. He is preceded in death by his loving wife, Merle, and his parents.
Visitation will be held on Friday, May 10, 2024, from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. in the J.E. Keever Mortuary of Ennis.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, May 11, 2024, at 10 a.m. in the J.E. Keever Mortuary Chapel of Ennis with Rev. Chet Hensley officiating. Interment will follow in Rice Cemetery under the direction of J.E. Keever Mortuary, Inc. Pallbearers will be: Ayden Jones, Cody Fisher, John Lacy, Jeremy Perkins, Bobby Case, David Casas; Honorary Pallbearers: Rusty Nelson, Killer Nelson, Ronnie Davis, Ryon Bowman, Brooks Bowman, Spence Morton, Kyle Liska, James Valek, and Bobby Carl

Submitted by family