Thelma was married to Phil Server, they had one daughter, Darlene (DeeDee), age 4yrs.
The following excerpt is from an article in "The Evening Outlook" newspaper, Santa Monica, California 1930:
"Bodies of slain trio go east"
Sister of dead man hears of triple tragedy in Santa Monica.
The bodies of Mrs. THELMA SERVER and her four year old daughter, DARLENE, who were shot to death in a hotel room here (Santa monica, CA) Thursday night by their husband and father, Phil Server, who then committed suicide with the same gun.
Mrs. Servers mother, Mrs. Mary E. Austin, and her two sisters, Mrs. Florence Williams, and Miss Ruth Austin, who resided with the murdered woman and little girl (in Santa Monica) will accompany the bodies.
Mr. Servers' body remains at the funeral home but arrangements for his disposition had not been completed.
Dr. Frank Webb, county autopsy surgeon, examined the three bodies laste yesterday and pronounced Mrs. Server and the daughter victims of homicide and Server a suicide.
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Thelma was the sister of my grandmother, Ruth Austin. The tragedy was rarely spoken of. My grandmother only spoke about her sister and DeeDee with gentleness and love. She forgave Phil for taking her beautiful sister and niece from her. She said that's what Thelma would have wanted.
The Austin family were Mormon handcart pioneers. There were 11 children. Two children died in infancy, Basil, and Walden. My grandmother was the youngest. They came to Salt Lake City, and there they made their home. Mr.Thomas Austin and his sons were sheep ranchers in Idaho, and they kept homes in both states where the family would work and play. Mr. Austins offices were located at the top of the "Hotel Utah" in the early 1900s'.
After Mr. Austins' untimely death in the 20's, Mrs. Austin, and 3 of her daughters, Florence, Thelma and Ruth, moved to Santa Monica, Ca.
Thelma was married to Phil Server, they had one daughter, Darlene (DeeDee), age 4yrs.
The following excerpt is from an article in "The Evening Outlook" newspaper, Santa Monica, California 1930:
"Bodies of slain trio go east"
Sister of dead man hears of triple tragedy in Santa Monica.
The bodies of Mrs. THELMA SERVER and her four year old daughter, DARLENE, who were shot to death in a hotel room here (Santa monica, CA) Thursday night by their husband and father, Phil Server, who then committed suicide with the same gun.
Mrs. Servers mother, Mrs. Mary E. Austin, and her two sisters, Mrs. Florence Williams, and Miss Ruth Austin, who resided with the murdered woman and little girl (in Santa Monica) will accompany the bodies.
Mr. Servers' body remains at the funeral home but arrangements for his disposition had not been completed.
Dr. Frank Webb, county autopsy surgeon, examined the three bodies laste yesterday and pronounced Mrs. Server and the daughter victims of homicide and Server a suicide.
_____________________
Thelma was the sister of my grandmother, Ruth Austin. The tragedy was rarely spoken of. My grandmother only spoke about her sister and DeeDee with gentleness and love. She forgave Phil for taking her beautiful sister and niece from her. She said that's what Thelma would have wanted.
The Austin family were Mormon handcart pioneers. There were 11 children. Two children died in infancy, Basil, and Walden. My grandmother was the youngest. They came to Salt Lake City, and there they made their home. Mr.Thomas Austin and his sons were sheep ranchers in Idaho, and they kept homes in both states where the family would work and play. Mr. Austins offices were located at the top of the "Hotel Utah" in the early 1900s'.
After Mr. Austins' untimely death in the 20's, Mrs. Austin, and 3 of her daughters, Florence, Thelma and Ruth, moved to Santa Monica, Ca.