Alice Douglass Parks Nelson

1916-2007

Alice Douglass Parks Nelson, 91, of San Luis Obispo, passed away quietly early Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2007, at her home.

Alice was born in August 1916 in Newbern, Tenn., the only child of Hamilton and Mina Smith Parks. When she was two months old they moved to Los Angeles, Calif., for a year and then to San Luis Obispo. Alice graduated from schools here and majored in music at Immaculate Heart College.

Hamilton owned and ran the Huasna Ranch, and Alice loved being there with her horses, dogs and various animals. The ranch instilled in her a love for the outdoors and flowers. She was an avid gardener. Her love of classical music came from her mother, who taught piano at the San Luis Obispo Conservatory of Music.

At a young age Alice became involved with Community Concerts shortly after it was formed in 1937. Later she helped found the San Luis Obispo Symphony and Symphony Guild in 1960. Alice loved to discover talent and for more than 40 years was the founder and benefactor of the annual Alice Nelson Music Competition (originally called the Monday Club Music Competition). Some of the winners have gone on to Julliard, Peabody, Eastman and Oberlin. She found great joy in their achievements.

Alice married Stanley H. Nelson in 1941. One year later he was inducted into the U.S. Army and served during World War II in the Pacific Theatre; he was gone for three years. They had been married 52 years when Stanley died in 1994.

Alice is survived by her beloved dog, Allegra, and many loving neighbors, friends and cousins.

Alice Parks Nelson's life will be celebrated 11 a.m. Monday, Dec. 10, 2007, at Wheeler-Smith Mortuary Chapel in San Luis Obispo. Burial will follow at San Luis Cemetery Mausoleum.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Hospice Partners of the Central Coast.

Wheeler-Smith Mortuary

543-6871

San Luis Obispo