H.R. No. 758
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, A full and generous life drew to a close with the
passing of Ruth Pierce Burton of Waxahachie on February 16, 2011, at
the age of 95; and
WHEREAS, Born to George William Pierce and Doreecie Elizabeth
Pitts Pierce on February 3, 1916, in Ferris, the former Ruth Pierce
was a descendant of Ellis County pioneer families, including the
county's first postmaster; and
WHEREAS, She was active in the Girl Scouts while growing up,
earning the Golden Eaglet rank in 1928, and she graduated from
Waxahachie High School five years later; joined in marriage in 1935
to Cecil Burton, she and her husband shared a rewarding marriage of
57 years before Mr. Burton passed away; in 1968, the couple founded
the popular Waxahachie Gingerbread Trail home tour, and in 2002
Mrs. Burton was officially designated "The Gingerbread Lady" by the
city council; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Burton and her husband raised a daughter,
Olivia, and through the years the family grew to include two
granddaughters and three great-grandchildren; and
WHEREAS, Blessed with abundant talent, Mrs. Burton studied
portraiture with Hungarian artist Dr. Julius Zsohar, among other
teachers, held several one-woman shows, and was honored to see the
portraits she completed of Willie Nelson and several educators be
displayed in public venues; she sketched and painted extensively
while traveling with her husband in the United States, Canada,
Mexico, and Europe, and today her works are owned by individuals
throughout the nation; evening-wear design was another of her
specialities; her creations were popular with attendees of proms
and weddings, and she also received a commission for a glamorous
Miss America pageant gown; and
WHEREAS, For 79 years, Mrs. Burton was a congregant of First
United Methodist Church, where she attended the Fidelis Sunday
school class; in addition, she was a founder and charter member of
the Ellis County Historical Museum and Art Gallery, a life member of
the Ellis County Art Association, and a member of the Daughters of
the American Revolution and the Daughters of the Republic of Texas;
her prominent role in a host of community endeavors was recognized
with a number of honors, including her selection as the First Lady
of Waxahachie in 1993 and her receipt of the Historic Preservation
Leadership Award from Historic Waxahachie in 2004; and
WHEREAS, Deeply devoted to her family, her art, and her
community, this cherished woman made a meaningful difference in the
lives of her loved ones and fellow citizens alike, and her
contributions will be fondly remembered for years to come; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of Ruth Pierce Burton
and extend sincere condolences to the members of her family: to her
daughter, Olivia Harrington, and her husband, Fred; to her
granddaughters and their husbands, Angela and Bob Heck and Teenya
and Alan Barnard; to her great-grandchildren, Daniel Barnard,
Blaire Barnard, and Rachel Heck; and to her other relatives and
friends; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for her family and that when the Texas House of
Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Ruth Pierce
Burton.
Pitts
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 758 was unanimously adopted by a
rising vote of the House on March 17, 2011.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House