Ruth Sweet was born April 1, 1934 in Roach, Nevada. Her grandfather was a foreman for the Union Pacific Railroad, and the family lived at various sidings along the railroad and at his ranch at Las Vegas. Her father was Mexican and her mother Black. Ms. Sweet attended kindergarten, elementary, and high school in Las Vegas. One year, 1946, was spent in Ontario, California, where she attended elementary school. She has attended night classes at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Employed by the State of Nevada, Division of Health, Ms.