Vinita Ruby (Littrell) Brown passed away on November 7, 2025. Vinita was born July 15, 1944 in Borger, Texas (through no fault of her own) to Othal and Anna Marie (Irwin) Littrell. The family spent time in Northeastern New Mexico and would eventually come to reside in Des Moines.
Vinita spent many days on horseback helping her Uncle Emmitt tend to cows. Vinita graduated from Des Moines High School in 1962. She married Charles Brown and had three children with him.
Vinita enjoyed working for Des Moines Schools as a substitute bus driver, bus aide, and cafeteria worker; Sierra Grande Restaurant; Folsom Museum; and Capulin Volcano National Monument. At the Museum, Restaurant and Volcano, she could meet and visit with people from all over the world. She never met a stranger and would talk to anyone. Vinita’s passion for history, archaeology, and genealogy made her a local reference in each place she worked. She would tell anyone that her kids were her greatest achievement.
Vinita is preceded in death by her parents, uncle Emmitt, son Michael, sisters Lois and Marilyn, and various other aunts, uncles, cousins and others. She is survived by daughters Sally Brown (Larry) of Raton and Cristy Brown (Mike) of Pueblo, Colorado; brother Dewayne of Bismarck, North Dakota; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Services will be held Tuesday, November 18th at 11:00 am at the Alderette-Pomeroy Funeral Home in Raton, NM With burial to follow at the Des Moines Cemetery in Des Moines, NM. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Des Moines EMS.
