Obituary of Minnie Cothran

Minnie Lora Cothran, of Lovington, NM, died on December 24, 2020, two weeks before her 85th birthday. She was born on January 8, 1936 in Hobbs, NM. She graduated from Hobbs High School in 1954 and ENMU in 1958 with a BS in Mathematics. She married her high school sweetheart, Gary Tom in 1958 and over the next decade they lived in Portales, Clovis and Hobbs, NM before settling in Lovington, NM in 1968, where they became established in the community and Gary Tom continues to reside. Over the working years of her life she was with the Farm Bureau, ASCS office, and Elliott and Waldron Abstract office. In retirement she enjoyed spending time with her extended family and she was loved so much by all of her grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Minnie's favorite pastime was dancing, and she and Gary Tom were known as be best "Jitter-buggers" in southeast New Mexico. Later in her years, Minnie was a member of the Line Dancing group, "The Dancin' Grannies" that toured and performed at numerous venues around southeast New Mexico, and she continued to participate beyond her 80th birthday. She was preceded in death by her parents, Fred Theophilus Province and Mary Agnes (Needham) Province and her siblings; Fred T Province Jr. and Dennis Province who both died in childhood, Jo Ann Allen, Barbara Daniels and Dorothy Collins. Surviving her is her husband, Gary Tom Cothran, of Lovington; her brother, Doyle Province & wife Bettye, of Colorado Springs, CO; her son Gary Bradley Cothran & wife Vonda, of Midland, TX; her grandchildren; Valerie J Cothran & Kyle Roberts, of Atascocita, TX, Callie J Deming & husband Matthew, of Fort Worth, TX, Geoffrey T Cothran, of Weatherford, TX; and numerous nieces and nephews. Arrangements are under the direction of Kirby-Ratliff Funeral Home. The family does not plan to have a funeral service or memorial at this time due to restrictions related to the pandemic and they ask that in lieu of flowers that donations be made to the charity of your preference. Condolences may be sent to www.kirbysmithrogers.com.