Mary Lillam (Jones) Thornberry

Born on May 26, 1873 Died on July 10, 1958

Born Deaf

Educated at TSD - Graduated at 1894 and taught at TSD after her husband s sudden death in 1918, and retired on 1940.

Married on Sep 6, 1899. One evening in 1909, the couple manufactured a son, Homer Thornberry

Mary was left with the responsibility of raising their only son, Homer when he was 9 years old when he lost his father.

A devoted mother, Mary lived to see her son graduated from the University of Texas, Practiced Law in Austin, and serve as a member of the state Legislature, as district attorney, as a member of the city council, and finally as a member of the US Congress. Concerned with the welfare of the deaf during her lifetime, she was justly proud when Homer, a Rep Homer Thornberry, was appointed as a member of the Board of Directors of Gallaudet College (University). LBJ was one of Homer s closest friend.

Oral History]

Met a man, Pate, who remembers her very well as Mary was his teacher when he was in elementary department. Pate said she was a very sweet and thoughtful lady who wanted to see her students to learn as much as they could. He admitted that she could not teach HS students because she was not properly trained. If she were to supervise the HS Study hour, she would bring his son who was in his teen to help out the students with their studies. When she retired in 1940, her son took her and lived with her in Washington, D.C. until her death. Her body was brought back in Austin for burial Also, Homer had a girlfriend who "disliked" or "disapproved" of Homer’s mother because she was deaf. Homer dumped her and found another woman who thought worldly of his mother.

From a desk of Dr. Leonard M. Elstad, President of Gallaudet University - He announced today that a Mary Lillian Thornberry Scholarship has been established at the College in memory of Mrs. Lillian Thornberry, who died July 10, 1958. Deaf from infancy, Mrs. Thornberry was the mother of Congressman Homer Thornberry and a lifelong resident of Austin, Texas.

This Fund, is the result of a request by Congressman Thornberry, at the time of his mother's death, that in lieu of flowers, gifts be made towards a loan fund to be used by students of Gallaudet College. Approximately $1,200 has been donated to the Fund by friends and associates of the family. Mr. Thornberry, who serves on the Gallaudet Board of Directors, was very proud of his mother. This idea of his for a memorial is typical of his usual generosity when the deaf are involved.

The Mary Lillam Thornberry Scholarship Loan Fund has been accepted by the College's Board of Directors with the provision that the money contributed in Texas be available on a priority basis to worthy deaf students from Texas attending Gallaudet College, with the balance of the Fund to be used for students attending the college from wherever they come. Since students are constantly in need of emergency funds, loans of a short-term nature can be very helpful. This type of memorial, in our opinion, is a very find thing, and we really appreciate it.

The new building, which will house the Hearing and Speech Center of GC, will be called Mary L. Thornberry, Dr Elstad announced on March 18, 1959. The building cost 9 million dollars. Homer was very thrilled when Elstad informed him that the build is named after his mother.

Sources: Gallaudet News, January 5, 1959 and March 18, 1959,

Gallaudet Record, October 1958 and Texas School for the Deaf (TSD) newspaper - Lonestar, September 15, 1958