Albert Thomas was born in Nacogdoches, TX on April 12, 1898, to Lonnie (Langston) and James Thomas. He attended local public schools and served as a second lieutenant in the United States Army during World War I. Albert graduated from Rice University in 1920. In 1922, while attending the University of Texas, Albert Thomas married his long time sweetheart Lera Millard of Nacogdoches. He graduated from the University of Texas in 1926 with a degree in law. He was admitted to the bar in 1927 and served as Nacogdoches County Attorney from 1927-1930. In 1930, the Thomas’ moved to Houston to allow Albert to serve as assistant United States district attorney, which he did until 1936. The family moved to Washington, D.C. when Albert was elected to Congress. He served in Congress from Jan. 1937 until his death on February 15, 1966. He died in Washington, D.C. and was buried in the Veterans’ Administration Cemetery, Houston, TX.

Lera (Millard) Thomas was born in Nacogdoches, TX on August 3, 1900, to Jessie and Annie Millard. She graduated from Nacogdoches High School then attended Brenau College in Gainesville, GA and the University of Alabama. Lera did not complete her degree, leaving before the end of her senior year. Lera married Albert Thomas in 1922 after a long courtship. They had two daughters; Anne and Lera. When Albert passed away on Feb. 15, 1966, Lera was elected to take his place in Congress for the remainder of his term. She served from March 26, 1966 until Jan. 3, 1967. In 1968 Lera went to Vietnam to work as a special liaison to members of the armed services for the Houston Chronicle. When she returned to Nacogdoches that same year she began a preservation project called Millards Crossing. It is a village comprised of historic buildings from the Nacogdoches area. The buildings where moved and restored on the Millards Crossing site. Lera stayed in Nacogdoches, TX until her death on July 23, 1993. She is buried at Oak Grove Cemetery