Grace Truman Nelms

Mother Grace Truman Nelms was born on June 10, 1925, in Quanah, Texas to Juanita Mitchell (Jones) and Shane Booker. She went home to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on Tuesday, January 17, 2023, in Albuquerque, New Mexico at the age of 97-1/2. Grace's mother moved her to Floydada, TX when she was an infant; she was raised by her mother and stepfather, Mr. Garland Mitchell. She completed elementary and middle school in Floydada where her family and friends affectionally called her "Boots." She attended Mt. Zion Baptist Church (Rev. Leon W. Campbell) and then Grant's Chapel Church of God in Christ (Rev. Will Coma Thirkill). Grace married Mr. T. L. Nelms at an early age and gave birth to her first child, T. Earl Nelms, who passed away at the age of 13. After separating from Mr. Nelms, Grace gave birth to 10 children in Floydada and Lockney, TX.

In 1971, Grace moved to Albuquerque, NM with her four youngest children, Roland, Vickie, Ray and Burnett. After moving to Albuquerque, she dedicated her life to loving God and serving people. She joined the First Church of God in Christ, where her mother served on the Mother's Board and Rev. E. C. Cox was pastor. Grace served as an usher, deaconess, and prayer warrior at First Church; she established a clothing bank in the church's basement where she distributed clothes to mothers of infants and toddlers. As a single mother, Grace supported her children through private home cleaning services and a housekeeping job at Presbyterian Hospital, where she later served as a volunteer. In the community, Grace served as a Den Mother for her son's boy scout troop; she encouraged her children to attend church and to excel in education and sports, including baseball, football, boxing, and track-and-field. While still raising her teenaged children, Grace took in and raised her twin grandsons, Daryl and Darrell Young.
Grace later joined Evangel Christian Center (Rev. Raymond L. Franks, Jr.), after her mother's passing. She also was a member of Armor of God Church (Bishop Elizabeth Mooney), and for the past 15 years she faithfully served as member at Open Door Ministry (Pastor Betty Engram) where she served as church Mother and established the "Grace Prayer Room." In 2017, Grace moved to Charlotte, NC where she attended Rod of God Church (Rev. Larry and Dr. Bonnie Allen); she returned to Albuquerque in 2021 and continued to serve at Open Door Ministry.

Mother Grace loved her children (her babies) and she faithfully prayed for them until her passing, asking God to save them and that they would love and serve him, and continue in His Word. Grace was preceded in death by her son, T. Earl Nelms; mother, Juanita Mitchell; sister, Mildred Williamson; brother, Clydine R. Mitchell; granddaughter, Natalie Harris and grandson, Daryl Young. She leaves to cherish her memory 10 children; daughters, Vickie A. Toney-Brown (Albuquerque, NM), Shirley A. Frazier (Edmond, OK), Gloria J. Harris (Charlotte, NC), Mae Katherine Byrd (Atlanta, GA); sons, Roland Baker, Ray A. Toney, Burnett Toney, Maurice G. Minner (Albuquerque, NM), Perry L. Minner, Sr. (wife Lucille, Lubbock, TX), James E. Minner (wife JoAnn, Floydada, TX). She also leaves behind 42 grandchildren, 84 great-grandchildren, 81 great-great-grandchildren, 7 great-great-great-grandchildren, and a host of family and friends.

A Visitation will be held on Friday, January 27, 2023, at 10:00 a.m., with a Funeral Service to follow at 11:00 a.m., God's Way Community Church, 1701 Walter St. SE - Albuquerque, NM 87102. Burial will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Albuquerque, New Mexico.