Longtime Portales Resident Leta Grimes Dies at 96

Grimes was a fixture in her local church and community, coaching youth sports teams and volunteering for decades.

Published on Feb. 20, 2026

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Leta Jo Grimes, a 96-year-old resident of Portales, New Mexico, passed away on February 14, 2026. Grimes was a longtime member of the Church of God, where she taught Rainbows classes and was honored with a 'Crowning Ceremony' in 2015 for her dedication. She was also active in the community, coaching women's softball, basketball, and Little Wranglers teams over the years.

Why it matters

Grimes' passing marks the end of an era in Portales, where she was a beloved community figure for decades. Her commitment to her church and local youth sports programs made her a pillar of the community, and her life story reflects the changing social and cultural landscape of small-town New Mexico over the course of the 20th century.

The details

Grimes was born in 1929 in Tucumcari, New Mexico, and grew up in Portales. She married Bill Grimes in 1952, and the couple had three children together before divorcing in 1979. Grimes worked at Luke's Drive In for 17 years before retiring in 1989. In addition to her work and family life, Grimes was heavily involved in her local Church of God congregation, teaching Rainbows classes and being honored for her service in 2015.

  • Leta Grimes was born on April 12, 1929 in Tucumcari, New Mexico.
  • Grimes moved to Portales in the 10th grade and graduated from high school in San Jon.
  • Grimes married Bill Grimes on September 12, 1952.
  • Grimes began working at Luke's Drive In in 1972 and retired in 1989 after 17 years.
  • Grimes passed away on February 14, 2026 in Clovis, New Mexico at the age of 96.

The players

Leta Jo Grimes

A 96-year-old resident of Portales, New Mexico who was a longtime member of the Church of God and active in the local community, coaching youth sports teams for many years.

Bill Grimes

Leta Grimes' ex-husband, with whom she had three children before their divorce in 1979.

Elizabeth Pearl (Jacobs) Harris

Leta Grimes' mother.

John Simuel Harris

Leta Grimes' father.

Cleta Looney

Leta Grimes' twin sister, who passed away in 2022.

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What’s next

Funeral services for Leta Grimes will be held on Friday, February 20, 2026 at 2:30 PM in the Wheeler Mortuary Chapel in Portales, New Mexico.

The takeaway

Leta Grimes' life exemplified the values of community, faith, and service that were central to small-town life in mid-20th century New Mexico. Her decades-long commitment to her local church and youth sports programs made her a beloved figure in Portales, and her passing marks the end of an era for the town.