Doris Lynn Parker

Doris Lynn Holland Parker died Sunday evening, September 21, 2014 in Austin, Texas. She was 92 although you would never guess it. Doris was born on December 8, 1921 to Lan Morgan Holland and Minnie O’Dell Holland in Weslaco, Texas. Although only 12 when her mother died, Doris and her siblings were well cared for by her beloved father and her aunt and uncle, Willie O’Dell Smith and Dewey Smith.

Doris began a lifelong love of music at McAllen High School, where she picked up the nickname “LaLa”. She and her dear friend Gwen Crawford Coats competed with each other to see who best knew all the Nelson Eddy and Jeannette MacDonald songs, and exactly who would be the best Jeannette. Doris went on to study music and graduated from Baylor University.

The newly minted and vivacious music teacher set out for Monahans, Texas, where she accepted a teaching job at Monahans High School. She chose Monahans largely because a recent oil boom had lured many adventurous young people to town, and because the school paid teachers a whopping $90 monthly, a full $10 more than other schools. “Miss Holland” quickly became very popular with her students. In addition to her teaching duties, Doris also taught private voice lessons and became the Monahans First Methodist Church choir director, with Bill and others who became lifelong friends singing in the choir

In 1948, Doris’ dear friend Hellen Reese introduced her to World War II veteran pilot Bill Parker, Hellen’s high school friend and classmate. Doris and Bill began dating in May and were married by August, beginning a love affair that lasted 60 years. Bill’s death in 2009 did not end Doris’ devotion to her sweetheart, as she continued to cherish his memory until the moment she died. Their daughter Marty was born in 1951 in Monahans and, after they moved to San Angelo, their daughter Mary was born in 1958.

Doris was well known for her lively wit and her constant stage presence. She once surprised family and friends in San Antonio’s famous Saint Anthony Hotel by making a grand entrance down the hotel’s main staircase, singing “A Pretty Girl is Like a Melody”, only to discover that she had a long strand of toilet paper trailing behind her. This is just one of countless Doris stories that would easily fill a book.

Doris was also known for tackling any challenge. While being a stay at home mom for her daughters, and a wonderful wife to Bill, she began a long volunteer affiliation with her beloved San Angelo Symphony, serving in many leadership roles and singing in the Symphony Chorale. In 1959, she helped establish the Symphony’s annual Sorantin competition for young musicians. If Doris Parker called to ask if you would support the Symphony, most people found it was easier to just say “yes” right then, as she was both passionate and persistent.

Teaching, directing and performing music was Doris’ true calling. She served as a substitute music teacher in San Angelo schools, until her great friend Eddie Lou Neel persuaded her to take up teaching full time. Doris taught for many years at Fort Concho Elementary School and Glenn Junior High School and also directed the children’s choir at First Methodist Church.

Doris is survived by her daughters, Marty Parker and Mary Parker, both of Austin; her sister Marty Conine of Midland; brothers and sisters-in-law John and Clo Holland of El Paso and Nick and Joy Holland of Houston; sister- and brother-in-law Katy Hale Kruse and Don Kruse of McGregor; grandchildren Mary Avery Mims and her husband Charles Mims, and Michael, Austin and Parker Rivera; many wonderful nieces, nephews, friends and her most devoted little friend, her dog Gabby.

A service celebrating Doris’ life will be held on Saturday, September 27, 2014 at 11:30 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church in San Angelo, Texas. The family requests that memorials in Doris’ honor may be sent to the San Angelo Symphony Orchestra, P.O. Box 5922, San Angelo, Texas 76902, or a charity of your choice.

Family and friends may express condolences and sign the online guest book at www.johnsons-funeralhome.com.