Thomas, Lillian Annabel Murray, 1912-2008

U. S. Coast Guard SPARS lieutenant Lillian Annabel Murray Thomas (1912-2008) was born in Austin, Texas, and daughter of R. V. and Jesse Murray. She attended Austin High School, graduating in 1929, and later the University of Texas (UT), where in 1935 she earned a BA in Journalism and an MA in 1940. A lover of music, Murray studied voice at the Institute of Musical Art in New York City immediately following high school, and later spent a summer at Julliard in 1936.

During World War II, Murray served for over two years with the SPARS, the third women’s service branch of the U. S. Coast Guard created in 1942 to release men from jobs at shore so they could fight overseas. It was the Dean of Women at UT, Murray believed, who initiated her enlistment with the SPARS. Murray became one of the first group of thirteen enrollees, where she served from 1943-1946, speaking at numerous war bond drives, and working as a recruitment officer in several locations across the U. S., including Austin; New London, Connecticut; New York; Palm Beach, Florida; San Antonio; and Seattle, Washington. Among the highlights of her career was a two-week war bond tour through the northwest with prizefighter and Coast Guard officer Jack Dempsey.

Once the war ended, Murray resided back in Austin, initially teaching journalism, and later as an interviewer of applicants for G. I. loans at a local bank. Through an introduction from a friend at work, she met her husband Tommy Thomas. They were married in 1947 and had two daughters, Margaret and Frances.

Sources:

Engelbrecht, Margaret. “Annabel’s History.” April 2006.

Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home. “Memorial Obituary Lillian Annabel Murray Thomas.” Accessed October 27, 2011. http://wcfish.tributes.com/show/Lillian-Thomas-84535443.

From the guide to the Murray, Annabel, U. S. Coast Guard Spars Collection 2011-292., 1937-1946, (Dolph Briscoe Center for American History, The University of Texas at Austin)

U. S. Coast Guard SPARS lieutenant Lillian Annabel Murray Thomas (1912-2008) was born in Austin, Texas, and daughter of R. V. and Jesse Murray.

She attended Austin High School, graduating in 1929, and later the University of Texas (UT), where in 1935 she earned a BA in Journalism and an MA in 1940. A lover of music, Murray studied voice at the Institute of Musical Art in New York City immediately following high school, and later spent a summer at Julliard in 1936.

During World War II, Murray served for over two years with the SPARS, the third women's service branch of the U. S. Coast Guard created in 1942 to release men from jobs at shore so they could fight overseas.

It was the Dean of Women at UT, Murray believed, who initiated her enlistment with the SPARS. Murray became one of the first group of thirteen enrollees, where she served from 1943-1946, speaking at numerous war bond drives, and working as a recruitment officer in several locations across the U. S., including Austin; New London, Connecticut; New York; Palm Beach, Florida; San Antonio; and Seattle, Washington. Among the highlights of her career was a two-week war bond tour through the northwest with prizefighter and Coast Guard officer Jack Dempsey.

Once the war ended, Murray resided back in Austin, initially teaching journalism, and later as an interviewer of applicants for G. I. loans at a local bank.

Through an introduction from a friend at work, she met her husband Tommy Thomas. They were married in 1947 and had two daughters, Margaret and Frances.

Sources:

Engelbrecht, Margaret. "Annabel's History." April 2006.

Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home. "Memorial Obituary Lillian Annabel Murray Thomas." Accessed October 27, 2011. http://wcfish.tributes.com/show/Lillian-Thomas-84535443.

From the description of Murray, Annabel, U. S. Coast Guard Spars Collection, 1937-1946 (University of Texas Libraries). WorldCat record id: 761697626