Ruth Joe Anderson, 87, of Redrock, N.M., entered into eternal peace Thursday, July 17, 2014.
Funeral Services will be held at the First Baptist Church of Lordsburg on Thursday, July 24, at 10 a.m. Interment will follow at Mountain View Cemetery in Lordsburg.
Ruth Joe Anderson was born to Ellice and Mitchell Robertson on Oct. 26, 1926, in Fredonia, Texas. The times were tough. When she was 5 years old her dad leased a place in Bell County, Texas, farming and raising sheep. One day while her dad was plowing he saw a tornado coming and the house stood but everything else was destroyed. She had an aunt who convinced them to move to Cliff, N.M., maybe for a better life. In 1931, the family left Texas. Ruth moved with her pet squirrel. They settled at Sycamore with a tent and dirt floor close to the creek. Pinto beans was their main food, with canned food from the garden and flour. Ruth and her sisters worked hard gathering wood, water and walnuts to feed some pigs. Then they butchered the pigs. Eventually a few cows, chickens and turkeys joined. Ruth said life was harsh but all they had. She loved to fish as a girl on the Gila River. She learned to float but never to swim. In July 1942, a handsome cowboy from Redrock came by the Robertsons' house as he was in the area helping to move some cattle. He was introduced as Charley Anderson. Ruth had a couple of pies baked; the cowboys were invited in for pie. Charley returned for a visit that night and asked for paper. He drew Ruth a picture of a bronc rider. Ruth could not get Charley off of her mind. They exchanged letters and dated until Oct. 27 and were married in Lordsburg. They spent their wedding night at his parents' home in Redrock, and at 4 a.m. he was up to go work cattle. The new life of ranching had started for Ruth. She worked and rode with Charley. He told her when they got married that he was going to teach her two things: how to drive and how to milk a cow. They built themselves a little house a room at a time. In July 1944, Charley was called to the Army; he served until August 1946. Ruth lived with his parents while he was gone to the war and helped them with the ranch. She spent many days in the saddle with Charley's dad and learned many ranching duties from him. Ruth and Charley started their family in 1947. They had two daughters and one son. They all lived on the ranch in Redrock and also had a ranch north of Redrock. Ruth worked very hard with her home and ranch. She was a great cook and never turned anyone away for a meal. She loved spending every day working with Charley. He passed away in 1999. Ruth lived by herself 13 years in the house she and Charley built. She lived with her son, Walt and his wife JaNeil for the last 18 months. Her final four months were spent back in her home with caretakers Elaine Shannon and Lisa DeLaGarza.
She is survived by her two daughters and one son: Jackie Cooley of Chandler, Ariz., Velma Tidwell and her husband, Jack, of Chandler, and Walt Anderson and his wife, JaNeil, of Redrock; one sister, Nyla McNair of Hamilton, Texas; four grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and three nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Charley; her parents, Mitchell and Ellice Robertson; and two sisters, Jewell Brown and Helen Robertson.
In lieu of flowers, donations to Horizon Hospice, 2584 N. Silver St., Building A, Silver City, NM 88061, phone 534-1800, are requested.
Bright/Lordsburg Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.