Obituary of Dwayne Truman Mings

Dwayne Truman Mings was Born: May 24, 1935 in Holtsville, California to Houston Monroe Mings and Cora Lee (Holloman) Mings. Died: March 18, 2025 Abilene, Texas of natural causes. Dwayne's mother (Cora Lee) died when he was a baby. His father, Monroe took Dwayne back to Peacock, Texas where family members were able to help care for Dwayne until Monroe married again to Jean Kluting when Dwayne was three years old. The family first lived in Peacock, Texas. Throughout Dwayne's childhood Monroe and Jean relocated several times and eventually settled in Hobbs, New Mexico. Dwayne was big brother to five half-sisters and a half-brother. He often spent time with his mother's (Cora Lee's) family, the Holloman's, in Peacock, Texas. He was particularly fond of his grandfather Charlie Holloman. He also lived in San Antonio with his Aunt Florence for part of his high school years before returning to Peacock to graduate and afterward join the Marine Corps. He credits his time in the Marines with allowing him to see the world. He has said, "There I was, this kid from the sticks, sitting in the stands watching the Olympics in Sydney, Australia!" He also visited Japan and China as well as Hawaii during his time in the Marines. When he returned to Hobbs, he was introduced to Patricia Mitchell by mutual family friends Bill and Ermine Craft. Dwayne and Patricia were married September 19, 1959 at Bethel Baptist Church, Hobbs, NM. They began their lives together in Hobbs. They had three of their four children in Hobbs then Dwayne relocated his family to La Mesa, Texas. Their fourth child was born in La Mesa and they moved again; this time to Artesia, New Mexico. While in Artesia Dwayne wanted to find a better job and he applied to the Border Patrol Academy and was accepted. After completing the academy, the family relocated to Yuma, Arizona in 1968. In early 1971, he requested and received a transfer to Deming, New Mexico. The family lived just outside of Deming in a large, comfortable home until 1978 when Dwayne once again wanted to experience something different and cross trained to US Customs and applied for a position in Freeport, Bahamas. The family spent about one year there before circumstances required returning to the Border patrol and relocating again to Lubbock, Texas. In 1982 (?) Dwayne left the Border Patrol and finished his government service with the board of prisons in Big Spring, Texas. He retired from government service in 1987 (?) and he and Patricia moved to Kingsland, Texas near his Uncle Cecil Mings. In 1989 they returned to their home in Deming, New Mexico where they lived for 17 years enjoying the beauty of Southern New Mexico and being able to travel and enjoy retirement and have occasional times with their grown children, their grandchildren, and extended families. They often went to Corpus Christi, Texas to ring in the New Year at one of the hotels there. In early 2006, Patricia was diagnosed with gall bladder cancer and on August 13, 2006, she was taken home to Jesus. Dwayne was never the same after losing the love of his life. With much sorrow and loneliness, he eventually relocated to Lovington, New Mexico to be closer to family. When the house in Deming sold, he purchased a house in Tulia, Texas near his son, Charles Mings' family in Canyon, Texas. He lived alone and independent for 6 years until the onset of vascular dementia and Alzheimer's made it impossible for him to continue to live alone. He has resided at Lyndale Memory Care in Abilene, Texas, near his daughter and son in-law, since September 16, 2023. Dwayne lived a life of serving others, especially the elderly. He always offered to help others in need. He loves Jesus. We know he's strolling over heaven with Patricia and finally reunited with his mother as well as other loved ones who have gone before. Dwayne is survived by his four children: Daughter: Cynthia Breen (Steve), Abilene, TX, Sons: Charles Mings, Canyon, TX; son, Nathan Mings (Linda), Robinson, TX and son Floyd Mings, Scurry, Texas. He is also survived by his 10 grandchildren: Diana, Daniel, Anna Marie, Timothy, Joshua, Bella, Andy, Amber, Aaron and Megan; and 12 great grandchildren Titus, Fiona, Cyrus, Averee, Matthew, Kagen, Kasch, Ashlynn, Lisa, Skylee and Chaise; and four siblings: Carol, Elaine, Sharon and Mike; and numerous nieces and nephews. Services will be held at Kirby-Ratliff Funeral Home, Lovington, NM. Visitation held Monday March 24, 2025 from 9:00 am-10:30 am, Services 10:30 am and burial at Lovington Cemetery at 12:00 pm. Condolences may be sent www.kirbysmithrogers.com.