Mina King

Our much loved sister, aunt, cousin, and friend, Mina Jo King, 91, of Truth or Consequences, NM passed away on May 23, 2025.

Mina was born on July 18, 1933, in a little house on Locust Street in Abilene, Texas. She was the daughter of Bruce Allen King and Val Cheek King. Mina was a blond haired beauty and the first grandchild on both sides of her family and she was showered with love.

Looking for work during the depression and World War II, Mina's dad moved the family around to Dallas, Texas; Harlingen, Texas; El Centro, California; and finally, to El Paso, Texas. Mina enrolled at Texas Western College in El Paso as a Speech and Drama major and appeared in many college dramas, comedies, and musicals, as well as plays in the local theater group. She was a talented actress, singer, writer, piano player, seamstress and an outstanding academic student. After graduation, Mina and her best friend moved to New York City to try their luck as actresses. Mina appeared in several productions, a few TV commercials, and toured Pennsylvania in The Sound of Music with Gisele MacKenzie, a well known singer from the 1950's.

On a return trip to El Paso in 1958, Mina taught at Houston Elementary School and in 1961, she was hired as the speech and drama teacher for Bel Air High School. In the 70's, she earned her CPA degree and worked for Zia Corp. in Albuquerque, NM and Fast Tax in Dallas, Texas.

From Alaska to England to visits all across the United States, Mina loved to travel. She also loved to take photographs and had numerous albums filled with pictures of places she visited and family members. She was an avid reader all her life.

In 1991, Mina moved back to Abilene to help her parents. She was an active member of Broadview Baptist Church and enjoyed singing in the church choir.

Due to health issues, Mina moved to Truth or Consequences in 2016 to be near her sister. After a fall and two bouts with COVID, Mina had mobility issues and moved into a local nursing home.

Mina was preceded in death by her father, Bruce Allen King and her mother, Val Cheek King.

Mina is survived by her sister, Barbara King Helms (Bob), nephew Derrell Helms; and a good many cousins. Special family members by marriage include Kathy Helms Henderson (Rusty), Truett Helms(Lauri), and Phillip Helms.

Visitation will be Saturday, May 31, 2025, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., at The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Rd., Abilene.

Funeral services will be held Sunday, June 1, 2025, at 2:00 p.m., at The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Rd., Abilene, officiated by Pastor David Cason and Pastor Dave Takacs. Cremation will follow and inurnment will be held 10:00am on Tuesday, June 3, 2025 in Elmwood Memorial Park.

Memorials may be given to Meals on Wheels, Broadview Baptist Church, or the donor's favorite charity.