Ruby Forbes Wykes was born in a log cabin in Liberty Hill, Texas on November 15, 1895, Ruby's father was a Baptist preacher who died when she was six months old. Her mother, suffering ill health turned her over to her older sister; Beulah Forbes Smith of Lampasas, Texas. Beulah raised Ruby for several years until her mother's health returned. She attended early school years in Liberty Hill before leaving to establish a homestead and teach in a one-room school in New Mexico.

In 1913 Ruby left Liberty Hill Texas for New Mexico at age 17 to homestead land and teach school.  She lived in a dugout for six years alone to homestead the ranch which is still in the family. In this photo she is shown with her brother Ed in a wagon carrying her cistern pulled by two donkeys as she prepares to begin her journey. Her brother, Ed, accompanied her on the 433 mile trip to Crossroads New Mexico before returning alone to his own place in Burnet Texas.

After homesteading the ranch,  Ruby married Edward Wykes from Oakalla in Burnet County in 1920. As the State of New Mexico required more education to continue her teaching career Ruby attended 12 colleges in 11 of which were in Texas, finally, in 1948 she graduated with honors from Midwestern University (Hardin College in Wichita Falls) the same day as her 2nd daughter Louise.

Ruby Forbes Wykes died in Plainview Texas on December 29, 1983 after having lived there off and on for 10 years. She is buried in Plainview Memorial Park.

Photo and information courtesy Brent Lemons, her grandson

Resources:

West Texas History & Memories

Early Life in Texas County by County

Books about Texas People and Places

Amazing People from Texas County by County