A Man Was a Real Man In Them Days: Pioneers of the Llano Estacado--1860 to 1900
Ruth White Burns, was born Mary Ruth White, March 11, 1929 to Robert Edward and Rose Powers White at Portales, New Mexico. She grew up with her two brothers, R. E. Jr. and James Gordon at the family home, next door to her grandparents, Robert Lee and Ora White Wood.      She attended Eastern New Mexico University until 1950 when she married Michael Dan Burns. Their first child Mike Jr. was born in 1951, followed by Patrick Neil, Dwight Edward "Ike," and Rebecca Rose. The couple started their own business, Burns Wholesale, selling candy, tobacco and restaurant supplies throughout the surrounding area. She completed her degree in Education at ENMU and also studied a semester in Saltillo, Mexico. She received her endorsement in Bilingual Education and taught second grade at La Casita School in the first Bilingual program in Clovis.      Over the years, Ruth worked on transcribing her mother's interviews, letters, and articles and combining them into a book. She has published articles in local newspapers and the New Mexico Magazine. At present she lives in Clovis, New Mexico.