Alice Ruth (Brown) Parker (93) passed away peacefully in her sleep on Sunday December 30th, 2018 at the age of 93. She was born April 22 1925, in Raymond California and well loved by her family, friends and community.
Alice graduated from Madera High School class of 1943 and soon after married her one true love, Truman Parker, in December 1944. She was an ‘Army Air Force” wife, stationed in New Mexico for the early years. Soon moving to Madera, and beginning a family. After their service (WWII and Korean War) was complete, they began a business venture with Truman’s parents, owning and operating Ducey’s in Dinkey Creek above Shaver Lake from 1947-1957.
Truman then began working in the world of insurance, first in Los Gatos, then opening his own firm in Madera with Ken Foster, known still today as Foster & Parker Insurance, from the early 1960’s to 1988. Alice shared responsibilities of bookkeeping, secretary, and coordinating many social mixers in support of the family business.
Alice enjoyed being active in the community, and held many leadership positions in the various organizations that she felt passionate about: Madera Rotary-Anns, Soroptimist Club, Camp Fire Girls, Teddy Bears, Madera Hospital, Ladies Auxiliary VFW, Madera Republican Women Federated Club, Madera Historical Society, and many others throughout her years in Madera, making her a key figure in the community. As her children became older, she wanted ‘more’ and decided to begin working as a Realtor, and became very successful and a neighborhood name as part of Ike Yocum’s team of professionals. Alice and her group of girlfriends were classy, intelligent, and often referred to as the true “golden girls” of Madera.
Throughout the years and in retirement, Alice and her family enjoyed traveling all over the world. She was also an avid bowler, golfer and exceptional hostess & entertainer. Despite all of her commitments and community involvement, Alice was always a devoted wife, mother and grandmother. In her later years, the joy she received from her great-grandchildren filled her heart with more love than anything she had experienced before.
Alice will be missed by all, and those who knew her will always smile fondly at remembering what a class-act lady she was and the immense joy and love that she shared with all of those around her.
Preceded in death by her husband Truman R Parker, parents Charles and Pauline Brown, her infant twin brother, her daughter Carol “Chris” Stansell, and son-in-law Van Neely.
Survived by her daughter Debra Neely, son-in-law Chet Stansell, grandchildren Bryan Stansell, Todd Stansell, Tess Erdman, Jonathan Neely, and Christopher Neely. As well as her great-grandchildren Kayla Stansell, Zoe Stansell, Alyssa Stansell, Troy Erdman, Eli Stansell, Diya Stansell, Truman Erdman & Hansin Erdman. Also survived by her sister-in-law Joyce Whitaker, bother-in-law Ray Whitaker, ‘half sister’ Marilyn Wagner and many other cousins, nieces and nephews.
A service to remember Alice will be held on Friday January 25th, at 1:00PM at Jay’s Chapel in Madera, 1121 Roberts Ave. A reception will follow for those in attendance at The Vineyard Restaurant.
Memorial donations are appreciated to Hinds Hospice, 2490 W. Shaw Ave Ste. 101, Fresno, CA 93711 or a charity of the donor's choosing. Arrangements entrusted to Jay Chapel Funeral Directors.
