Vinita Ferrell Hopkins, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, passed away on September 7, 2024, at the age of 96. Born on March 8, 1928, in Wellington, Texas, to parents Bonnie and Sallie Horton, Vinita lived her life with a spirit of adventure and a love for knowledge. She was a proud graduate of the University of Texas, a degree in anthropology and spent part of the 1950s teaching school in Barrow, Alaska, an experience that shaped her passion for education and exploration.

In 1949, Vinita married her devoted husband, Thomas Robert Hopkins, with whom she shared 75 wonderful years of marriage which was preceded by 6 years of courtship . Together, they raised two sons, Chris and Tim, and cherished the time spent with their grandchildren: Marcus, Samuel, Tina, Jessica, Lee, and Erik. Vinita loved nothing more than taking her grandchildren on adventures to interesting places, leaving them with lasting memories and a sense of wonder.

An avid reader, Vinita found joy in the pages of books often reading several at a time amid the melodies of classical music, which filled her home with warmth. She also had a special fondness for Port Townsend, Washington, where family vacations created cherished moments. Vinita was known for her quick wit and humor, often expressing her playful spirit with her favorite saying, "Bah Humbug!"

Vinita is survived by her loving husband, Thomas, her sons Chris and Tim, her nephew Brock Horton and her grandchildren, who will carry on her legacy of love, curiosity, and a deep appreciation for life's simple pleasures. She was preceded in death by her brother, James Miner Horton, her sister in law Madge P. Horton and her grandson Marcus Hopkins.

Her life was a testament to the joy of learning, exploration, and family, and she will be greatly missed by all who knew her.