Julia Moss

Julia Nail Moss, of Alpine, Texas, passed away February 6, 2026, surrounded by loved ones, in San Antonio, Texas. Julia was born May 30,1921 in Marathon, Brewster County, Texas, in the home of her grandmother (Sarah Louisa Burnham). She was the daughter of Sam (Samuel Robert) Nail and Nena (Sadie Lee) Burnham Nail.

Julia loved her family, Texas, and the Big Bend. She attended First Presbyterian Church of Alpine. She was devoted to researching her family's genealogy. Active and founding member of the local Alpine Chapters of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas and Daughters of the American Revolution. In retirement, she was called upon and happily cataloged libraries in Marathon, Terlingua and the Barton Warnock Center.

Sam, Nena, Julia and her older brother, Bob (Robert Thompson) Nail, lived on the family ranch in Southern Brewster County, on the west side of the Chisos Mountains. Living over 80 miles from the nearest school, formal education was a challenge. When Bob was old enough to attend school, the family moved to Alpine and then Marathon during the school year. Bob died in 1926, at age eight, from the measles. Julia was five years old.

The family homeschooled Julia on the ranch. Both parents participated in her studies. Grades four through six she had tutors (recent college graduates) who lived with the family. She attended seventh grade in San Antonio. In 1937, she graduated from Marathon High School. Julia enrolled in Sul Ross State University and was graduated suma cum laude with a double major in Spanish and English and a minor in Library Science.

After graduation she took a Civil Service job in the Library of the Department of Agriculture. She lived and worked in Washington DC during the years of World War II. After the war she attended Drexel University. Missing West Texas, she again obtained employment with the Civil Service and worked in the libraries on the military bases of Fort Bliss and Laughlin Air Force Base. She married John M. Moss in 1950, whom she met while visiting her parents on their ranch. After having two children, she returned to work and was employed by Sul Ross State University until her retirement in 1983.

Julia is survived by two daughters, six grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband John in 1993.

She was loved, deeply admired and will be missed.

"There is no place better to live than Alpine; the climate and mountains make it special."

Julia Nail Moss