Bill Text: TX HR758 | 2011-2012 | 82nd Legislature | Enrolled

Texas House Resolution 758 (Prior Session Legislation)

Bill Title: In memory of Ruth Pierce Burton of Waxahachie.

Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Republican 1)

Status: (Passed) 2011-03-21 - Reported enrolled [HR758 Detail]

Download: Texas-2011-HR758-Enrolled.html



	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