Alice Elizabeth Compton

Mrs. Compton was born Alice Elizabeth Compton in Elberton, GA in 1927 to Wilena and Douglas Compton. She attended Shorter College in Rome, GA as a music major but left after her sophomore year to marry Lieutenant Commander Emmett Mobley Compton in 1946. For 28 years, she enjoyed her life of duty as a naval officer’s wife while simultaneously sharing her vocal talents by starring in musical theater productions in many of their assignment locations, from Coronado, CA to Virginia Beach to Alexandria, VA. Upon her husband‘s retirement from the Navy and move to Las Cruces, NM, Alice acquired her BA in Economics and then began selling real estate with Mather’s Realty. Being quite athletic in her youth, her leisure time was spent playing tennis, traveling with friends and grandchildren and working in her garden. She also enjoyed playing bridge, painting, entertaining and being active at St. James Episcopal Church in Mesilla Park, NM where she was on the vestry and sang in the choir well into her 80s.

She is survived by her 3 children, Catherine Anne Masterson (Tipton dec.), Atlanta, GA, John Douglas Compton (Nina), Albuquerque, NM and Mary Alice Durbin (Brent), Austin, TX. In addition, she has 5 grandchildren, Tipton Scott Masterson, Elizabeth Compton Gerzetich (Jonathan), Caroline Durbin Cecil (Justin), John Benton Durbin (Lauren), and James Barrett Durbin as well as 2 great grandchildren along with 2 much loved nieces. Her husband, Captain Emmett M. Compton, (USNA 39’) Ret. and a much loved older brother, James Jackson, died in 2003 and 2014, respectively.

Her family was deeply saddened by her rather sudden health decline and subsequent death but took great comfort in her outward declaration that she was at peace with death and looking forward to reuniting with her husband and much loved family and friends.

In memory and in lieu of flowers, please consider supporting St. James Episcopal Church, Las Cruces, NM, “in memory of Alice E Compton,” www.stjameslascruces.org. A memorial service will be held at a later date in Carlton, Ga.