Phillip ‘Ray’ Mace, 70, of Belle graduated to Heaven on March 1, 2026 surrounded by his loved ones following a short illness.
Having accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior in 1980, Ray lived his life as a steadfast and faithful servant of the Lord. His legacy of faith, love and laughter will live on in all who knew him.
Ray was a retired truck driver known as ‘Grape Ape’ by all of his coworkers/friends. When he wasn’t telling anyone that would listen about Jesus, you could find him hunting or fishing. He could truly out fish anyone and would gladly tell you about it.
Ray was preceded in death by his son, Phillip Mace II; mother, Shirley Mace; brother, Timothy Hancock and sisters, Pam Mace and Tina Hancock.
Ray is survived by his loving wife of 45 years, Toni Mace; daughter and son-in-law, Crystal and Kristopher Short; grandchildren, Tiffany Mace, Michael Mace, Noah Short, Addyson Short; brothers, Bryan Mace, David Hancock (Lilly); sisters, Tammy Elliott, Kelly Ann Miller; brothers-in-law, Mark Fout (Tammy), Dony Deeds Jr., Calvin Deeds (Cathy); his best friend and ‘brother from another mother’, Timothy ‘Preacher’ Oakes (Sheila) and a host of family and friends who he loved dearly.
A Going Home Celebration of Ray’s life will be held at 12 p.m. Saturday, March 7, 2026 at Fidler and Frame Funeral Home, Belle with Pastor Timothy Oakes officiating. A gathering of his family and friends will be held one hour prior to service time at the funeral home on Saturday.
