She was honored as a 1963 Missouri Woman of Achievement for her outstanding contribution to the arts, including a memorable recital at Lincoln University.

[3] She was the family's second child, following Sonoma Talley (born 1900),[4] who was also a music teacher.

[5] Their interest in music was no doubt encouraged by their father, who was not only head of the chemistry department at Fisk University but took a keen interest in American music and conducted the Fisk choir.

After teaching for a period at the high school in Columbia, Missouri, she moved first to Texas and then to North Carolina.

The couple moved to Jefferson City where Thomasina opened a music studio and taught on occasion at Lincoln University.