Anna Marie Little went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, July 26th, 2015.

Annie was born on February 3rd, 1924 in San Luis, Colorado. She was the second of eleven children born to her parents, Abel and Eloisa Trujillo. Annie was an excellent student, and she graduated from high school early at the age of 16. She attended Adams State College in Alamosa, Colorado, and graduated with a degree in teaching. She used that degree to teach elementary students for several years.

Annie met and married Philip Lucero in Colorado, and they had three children ? Leonard, Claudette, and Ronald. Afterwards, they moved to Ventura County in Southern California, where they were later divorced. Annie returned to school and earned her nursing license, which she then used to begin a long and fruitful career at the Camarillo State Hospital. She developed special relationships with all her patients, who loved her dearly. Even many years later, they would approach her in stores or on the street with a wide smile and a big hug.

Early in her career, Annie met and married a fellow employee and the love of her life, Ernest Little. Annie and Ernie soon had a daughter together ? Linette. After 33 years of service, Annie retired from the State Hospital and began to enjoy her many retirement years with family and friends. Colorado still held a special place in her heart ? and much of her family ? so she visited often, and even had a cabin in the mountains she loved.

Annie was incredibly talented; she was an expert seamstress and loved to paint. She was very active in her community, and belonged to numerous clubs ? The Somis Thursday Club, the St. Mary Magdalen Church's Sewing Circle, and she was a founding member of the Ventura County Nursing Home Volunteer Society. Annie made several dear and life-long friends in these clubs.

Annie is survived by her son Ronald (Bernadette), and daughters Claudette (Steve) and Linette (Kim). She also leaves behind her sisters Julia, Ruth, Andy, Millie, Cathi, and her brother Abie. Annie was blessed to know 12 grandchildren: Len, Debbie, Jim, Lisa, Mark, Kristin, Vanessa, Ronnie Jr., Christina, Garrett, Jordan, and Hannah. She continued to be blessed through her 17 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded to heaven by her husband Ernie, son Leonard, brother Sam, and sisters Collie, Henrietta, and Elda.

Annie lived a full life and was always loved and respected. She had a kind heart, and would do whatever was in her power to help those in need ? family, friends, and strangers alike. She will be dearly missed.

A celebration of Annie's life will be held on Saturday, August 29th, 2015, at 2:00pm at CSU Channel Islands, in the East Bell Tower Courtyard.
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Published in Ventura County Star from Aug. 16 to Aug. 23, 2015
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