Alyce Parsons

Alyce L. Parsons VIRGINIA BEACH - Alyce L. Parsons exchanged her earthly existence Oct. 20, 2010, for a heavenly one. She had fought a courageous battle against esophageal cancer for three years. Born on a ranch in Eastern Washington in 1927, she grew up in Sumner, Wash., a "small town, USA" in the beautiful Puyallup valley. Upon graduation from high school, she entered and completed nurses training at George Mason Hospital and the University of Seattle. Subsequently, she moved to Honolulu, Hawaii to specialize in being an operating room nurse. On a blind date in 1952, she met a Marine lieutenant stationed at Pearl Harbor. Two months later, Alyce and Tom were married. That chance encounter led to 30 years of happiness and adventure as the wife of a career Marine. That life included 26 moves, living in a military environment, several years without Dad around while Tom served overseas, countless friends, and, most importantly, four children, one of whom died shortly after birth. Following Marine retirement, Alyce and Tom spent nine years at the Marine Military Academy in Harlingen, Texas, 17 in Virginia Beach, and five in Matthews, N.C., to where they relocated to be near their oldest daughter. They celebrated their 58th wedding anniversary on Oct. 18. Survivors are retired U.S. Marine Corps Colonel Tom Parsons, Mrs. Terry Dawson and husband Doug of Charlotte, Mrs. Alyce Parsons Christie, and husband Russell of Inglis, Fla., Tom Parsons Jr. of Charlotte, and granddaughter Christine Dawson of Charlotte. Alyce was greatly loved and loving, compassionate, considerate, and practical. She accepted without complaint what life dealt her. She knew that her earthly legacy was three fine children and she was comforted by this knowledge. She firmly believed that a day was not a good one unless its routine included a 6 p.m. break for the nightly news and refreshments. She will be missed. In accordance with her wishes, no memorial services will be held and the funeral services, which will take place at the National Cemetery at Quantico, Va., will be for family only. In lieu of flowers, please make memorial donations to the charity of your choice.